HR1420 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1420 LRB094 21356 HSS 59706 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Vernice (Taylor) Brownlee on Wednesday, August 16, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Vernice (Taylor) Brownlee, affectionately known as "Lady Brownlee" was born on August 15, 1935, in Prichard, Mississippi, to Luke and Isabella C. Taylor; and

WHEREAS, She attended public schools in Memphis, Tennessee, and graduated from Douglas High School; she moved to Chicago in 1956 and graduated with a license in cosmetology from the famed Madam C.J. Walker School of Beauty Culture; and

WHEREAS, She was united in marriage to Thomas O. Brownlee Sr. on September 6, 1958, in Chicago; they shared 47 wonderful years of marriage; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Brownlee joined the Independence Blvd Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Chicago in 1961, where she remained a very active member until her death; she served as a Board member, a Home and School Leader, Ingathering Coordinator, Sabbath School Superintendent, Community Service Assistant Director, Investment Leader, and a member of the Society of Christian Ladies; she was proud and honored to have coordinated the church's current educational fundraising project; and

WHEREAS, She began her professional career in 1965 with the Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunities, now known as the Chicago Department of Human Services, where she was a Human Resource Specialist for more than 26 years; she retired from the Chicago Department of Human Services in 1991; and

WHEREAS, In addition to working and raising a family, Mrs. Brownlee attended night school, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Roosevelt University and a Master of Social Work degree from Governor State University; in 2003, she joined the exciting world of entrepreneurship and began her own business, Vernice's Culinary Delights; and

WHEREAS, Even in retirement, Mrs. Brownlee stayed very active with various community and civic organizations; she was a board member of the Better Boys Foundation, serving actively as President of the Parent Council Auxiliary; a member of the Westside Association of Community Action (WACA); President of the 2200-2300 Block Club Kildare Avenue; and a member of the Friends of Bobbie L. Steele Organization; with her soul mate and daughters, she founded the Care and Share Bus Tour which organized annual trips to Hot Springs, Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Vernice (Taylor) Brownlee has been deeply felt by many, especially her husband, Thomas 0. Brownlee, Sr.; her children, Yolanda Maria Brownlee, Thomas Oliver Brownlee, Jr., and Melva Latrice Brownlee; her mother, Isabella C. Taylor; her grandchildren, Christian and Catrell Brownlee; her siblings, Calvin Taylor (Sonia), Lee Dale Taylor (Louise), Marjorie Taylor James, Hosea Taylor, C.L. Taylor (Irene), Doretha Taylor Walker, Eunice Taylor Hobbs, and Melvin Taylor (Renee); her aunt, Ora Mae Rushing; her sister-in-law, Geraldine Bender; her spiritual godmother, Marie Daggs; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; she was preceded in death by her father, Luke Taylor, and her sister, Montrose T. Hall; 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 Vernice (Taylor) Brownlee, and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family, her 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.