HR0262 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0262 LRB099 11380 MST 32174 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, State Representative Monique D. Davis and the members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Shirley Irene DuBois of Jacksonville, North Carolina, who passed away on February 18, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dubois was born in Chicago on August 6, 1938 to Houston and Naomi (nee Evans) Gaines; she attended elementary and high school in Chicago and graduated from the University of Chicago Laboratory School; she then attended Chicago Teachers College (now Chicago State University) to fulfill her desire to become a teacher; she married Lee Andrew Pittman; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dubois worked in the Chicago Public Schools until her retirement in 1992; while working in the Chicago school system, she earned a master's degree from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago; she later completed the Chicago principal's exam and was selected to become principal at Walter Gresham Elementary School; after completing a sabbatical leave, she taught reading to Title I students until her early retirement; shortly after retiring, she worked for 3 years as a staff development specialist for the Teachers Academy for Math & Science; during her teaching career, she managed real estate property that she owned for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dubois and her children traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, Africa, and Asia; in retirement, she became active on the session for Second Presbyterian Church in Chicago, volunteering time to assist with various programs; she was active in educational groups; she was a life member of the National Alliance of Black School Educators, the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association; she was a member and served several positions in Pi Lambda Theta, the University of Chicago chapter, an honorary educational society; she later served terms as Treasurer and as an international board member of Pi Lambda Theta; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dubois married Floyd DuBois in 2002; in 2004, they moved to Jacksonville, North Carolina to assist with caring for their 2 granddaughters until they graduated from high school and went to college; during their time in Jacksonville, they became members of Evening View Missionary Baptist Church and Covenant ARP churches; they also attended New Vision M.B. Church; while in Jacksonville, they worked with the Georgetown High School Alumni Association's "Annual Black History Writing Contest"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dubois was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Dorothy Gaines Gregory and Ramona Gaines Scott; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dubois is survived by her husband, Dr. Floyd DuBois; her children, Andrew Pittman and Janet Pittman Reed; her granddaughters, Sheria Janelle Reed and Ayanna Janae Reed; her brother-in-law, Charles Gregory; her nieces, Rosemary Gregory Harmon and Cynthia Gregory; her 2 great-nieces; her special cousin, Sidney Edwards Cole; her special caretaker, Andrew Taylor; and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Shirley Irene DuBois, 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 Dr. Dubois as an expression of our deepest sympathy.