SR0451 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0451 LRB094 13877 CSA 48751 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Betty L. Thomas of Camden, New Jersey, on August 19, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Thomas was born on August 12, 1927, in Easton, Maryland, the seventh of thirteen children; she was raised in Easton and attended high school in the Easton community public school system; after she graduated, she enrolled in an administrative training program which would give her the skills she would later need to hold several managerial positions throughout her life, specifically at the INA Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, where she worked for over 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Thomas, then Ms. Betty Leatherberry, met Clarence Thomas while growing up in Easton, Maryland; the two became friends and later got married, enjoying a marriage union which would last for over 55 years; they settled in Camden, New Jersey, and raised their beautiful children, Terra, Ronald Michael, and Dwayne; later in her life, she became the very proud grandmother to nine precious children whose laughter became the light of her life; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Thomas was an exceptional wife, a devoted mother of four, and a spiritual woman who gladly committed her life to her community in Camden, New Jersey, and the Ferry Avenue Methodist Church for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, A stranger to no one in her community, Mrs. Thomas was considered a community leader in Camden, New Jersey, being active on several community, civic, and hospital advisory committees; she also gave back to her community as an educational assistant and later happily volunteered her services at Rutgers University's LEAP Academy Charter School; a true woman of God, Mrs. Thomas made the church the backbone of her and her family's life, attending services for more than 50 years, teaching Sunday school, and devoting herself to over ten ministries throughout her time; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Betty Thomas lived a full life for 78 glorious years; she will surely be missed by all who knew her, and her compassion and love for all will live within them forever; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Betty L. Thomas and extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and community; and be it further

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