SR0499 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0499 LRB094 15052 RAS 50189 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Laura Lucille Cherry Barnes of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Barnes was born on January 31, 1941, in Panola, Alabama; she was the first born to Mrs. Almeta Barnes and Mr. Houston Cherry Speights; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Barnes, who was affectionately called "Homey", confessed her belief in Christ and was baptized at St. John Baptist Church; she attended St. John Elementary School and North Sumter High School; and

WHEREAS, On July 24, 1958, she was united in holy matrimony to Vernon L. Barnes; God blessed their union with three loving children; her primary goal in life was keeping her commitment to God, her husband, and most of all, to her grandchildren and great-grandchild; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Barnes was employed at Everwear Luggage Company for eighteen years; after retiring, she became actively involved in buying and selling antiques, which later became an intricate part of her life; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Barnes was the president of the 7700 South Ada Block Club for many years; she truly enjoyed working with the youth and planning special activities; she and her committee members worked diligently toward the upkeep of the neighborhood; the Annual Block Club Party was the event closest to her heart; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Barnes faithfully worked with the Seventeenth Ward Alderman Office for many years; she was well known for getting the constituents out to vote; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Barnes was always willing to help the underprivileged; she was actively involved with the Chicago Police 006th District Steering Committee; she served as chairperson for the Sick and Welfare Committee and was a devoted volunteer for the Annual Senior Citizen Dinner; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Laura Lucille Cherry Barnes has been deeply felt by many, especially her husband, Vernon; her two sons, Vernon, Jr. and Virdon; her daughter, Vernessa; her three grandchildren, Sean, Darrius, and Anaya; her great-grandson, Trenton; her seven sisters, Barbara, Ann (Robert) Keuch, Lillie (Tyrone) Thomas, Verniece, Doris, Burretha, and Eloise; her six brothers, Barnes, Jr. (Lana), Leon (Connie), Edward (Diane), Al (Cora) Williams, Abraham Cherry, and Houston, Jr.; her sisters-in-law, Venita Barnes and Aurelia (Ulysses) Gholston; her brother-in-law, Taylor (Sharon) Barnes, Jr.; her aunts, Ethel Brown, Catherine Dent, Mary, Rose, and Aurelia Barnes; her uncle-in-law, David Taylor; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and other loving neighborhood friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Laura Lucille Cherry Barnes, and we extend our sincerest 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 her family as an expression of our deepest sympathy for their loss.