HR1286 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1286 LRB094 20483 HSS 58746 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Katherine Flowers Shepherd on Wednesday, April 26, 2006; and

WHEREAS, She was born in Inverness, Mississippi, on September 6, 1947, to Lewis M. Flowers, Sr., and Maple Stapleton Flowers; in 1950, the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Katherine attended the Indianapolis public schools and graduated from Shortridge High School; she enhanced her education by attending a local computer institute and earned a certification in information technology; and

WHEREAS, She was baptized at the age of seven at the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church; she remained faithful to Tabernacle and was dutiful in her church works; she was a member of the Gospel Chorus and served as a Youth Director/Coordinator, a teacher of Vacation Bible School, and advisor and creator of many fundraising projects at the church; she was a charter member of the Oliver Youth Choir; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Shepherd was currently in the position of President of the Missionary Society, Sunday School Teacher, and was a member of the Nurses; she assisted Pastor Bailey as Personal/Administrator in the monthly staff meetings and worked as Financial Secretary of the Union District Association; and

WHEREAS, She will always be remembered as one who loved reading the Word and teaching in Sunday school; she was always ready and able to assist in any area where she was needed at the church; and

WHEREAS, On June 21, 1968, Katherine married Willie James Shepherd and their union spanned over 38 years; and

WHEREAS, She will be sadly missed by her family and friends; those who knew her well can verify that she would speak what was in her heart; she was a strong influence in her family and can never be replaced; and

WHEREAS, After the passing of her sister, Barbara, she became the surrogate mother of her sister's daughter, Cynthia, and her children; and

WHEREAS, Preceding her in death were two brothers, Herman and Lewis Flowers, Jr., and one sister, Barbara Montgomery; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Katherine Flowers Shepherd has been deeply felt by many, especially her husband, Willie James Shepherd; her sons, Kevin and Jamie Shepherd; her surrogate daughter, Cynthia Montgomery; her father, Lewis M. Flowers (Jewell); her grandchildren, Ke'vanna and Kynnedi Shepherd; her surrogate grandchildren, Jaylin, Janiyah, and Jazlynn; her sisters, Pastor Mary L. Guthrie and Marilyn Wadlington; her brothers, Willie Jones, Jr., (Essie), Randy Wadlington (Debbie), and Pastor David K. Flowers (Summer); and her nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, many friends, and her Tabernacle Church Family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Katherine Flowers Shepherd, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 her family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.