HR0728 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0728 LRB102 26662 ECR 37458 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Martha Louise Watt of Peoria, who passed away on March 5, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Martha Watt was born to Paul and Ruby Elouise Long Heavner in Golden, Mississippi on November 24, 1951; she attended school in Hammond, Indiana and college at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee; she married Joey Watt in Schereville, Indiana on August 16, 1975; and

WHEREAS, Martha Watt committed to her faith as a teenager and later served as a Christian school teacher, a home school teacher, and a foster parent; and

WHEREAS, Alongside her husband, Martha Watt served in the ministry at Wayside Baptist Church of Graysville, Tennessee, Liberty Baptist Church of Rochester, Indiana, and for the past 36 years at El Vista Baptist Church in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Martha Watt was preceded in death by her brothers, James and Robert Heavner, and her parents; and

WHEREAS, Martha Watt is survived by her six children, Benjamin (Kristina) Watt, Philip (Erin) Watt, Sarah Watt, Enoch (Dana) Watt, Adam (Lis) Watt, and Hannah (Justin) Derry; her nine grandchildren, Grace, Isaac, Luke, Jeremiah, Eliza, Annabelle, Piper, Jake, and Jada; her siblings, Tony (Wendy) Heavner, John (Maureen) Heavner, Mike (Sharon) Heavner, Margie (Bob) Jackson, Joe (Debi) Heavner, Enoch (Diana) Heavner, and Eddie (Dawn) Heavner; her sister-in-law, Sandy Heavner; her aunts and uncles; her cousins; and her El Vista Baptist Church family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Martha Louise Watt 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 Martha Watt as an expression of our deepest sympathy.