SR1253 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1253 LRB102 29339 ECR 41320 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Berta Louise Cowan Lightford of Chicago, who passed away on October 23, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Berta Lightford was born to Andy Cowan Jr. and Mary Frances Leslie Cowan in Huntsville, Alabama on November 19, 1925; she attended Springhill Grammar School and Council High School in Madison County, Alabama; she took welding classes at A&M College during World War II; she married Eddie Clifton Lightford on November 22, 1944, and they moved to Chicago in 1946, raising their children there for 32 years; and

WHEREAS, Berta Lightford worked at Redstone Arsenal, a U.S. Army base, in Huntsville, Alabama; she became a housewife after marriage, which she loved as she and her husband were very family oriented; and

WHEREAS, Berta Lightford volunteered as block club president after becoming a widow; she then became a precinct captain, joining two of her daughters in politics; and

WHEREAS, Berta Lightford was committed to her faith; she grew up as a member of the Springhill Methodist AME Church; she was later baptized at Mount Hebron Baptist Church in Chicago, where she often attended services with her daughters; and

WHEREAS, Berta Lightford enjoyed entertaining her family, traveling, fishing, watching soap operas, shopping, and decorating her home; and

WHEREAS, Berta Lightford was known for living her life on her own terms; she loved her family immensely and was endlessly proud of them and their accomplishments, happily sharing family stories with others; and

WHEREAS, Berta Lightford was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her grandfather, Andy Cowan Sr.; her grandmother, Berta Timmons-Joyner Cowan; her cousin, Arthur Love Sr.; her brother, James Daniel "JD" Cowan; her brother-in-law, Ennis Lightford; and her best friend and sister-in-law, Delia Fitcheard Lightford; and

WHEREAS, Berta Lightford is survived by her children, Andrew Clark, Melvin (Barbara) Leon Sr., Carolyn (Paul), Pamela Olivia, and Mamie Frances; her grandchildren, Carmelita Patrice (Eric), Billy Arthur, Janon Monique, April Marie, Kimberly Ann (Eric), Michael Clark, Pamela Delores, Melvin (Sonya) Leon Jr., Curtis II, Carolyn Lightford, Jessica Lynn (Zachary), and Darryl Stephen; her 21 great-grandchildren; her 12 great-great-grandchildren; her stepson, Arthur Lee (Joanne); her nine step-grandchildren; her nephews, Lynn Patrick Love and Virgil (Kathy) Blevins; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; her goddaughter, Deborah Ann Gamble; and her friends, Linton Johnson, Maria Branch, Michael Owens, and Curtis Owens Sr.; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Berta Louise Cowan Lightford and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Berta Lightford as an expression of our deepest sympathy.