SR0291 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0291 LRB095 12746 GRL 38100 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Willie Thomas of Peoria Heights, who passed away on July 10, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Willie Thomas was born on June 10, 1913, in Jackson, Mississippi; her parents were Albert and Emma (Cox) Brady; she grew up and lived most of her life in Jackson with her older brothers, Julius and Louis Brady; she attended County Line Baptist Church School and later attended Lenior High School in Jackson, Mississippi; she later married and had three children, George Edward Ward, Eugene Powell Jr., and May Emma Samples; and

WHEREAS, Willie Thomas moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1944; in 1969, she moved to Kewanee, where she owned a soul food restaurant; she later moved to Peoria and purchased a 10 acre farm, where she raised and sold livestock; and

WHEREAS, Willie Thomas was a devoted and loyal Christian throughout her life; she was a member of Peoria Friendship Baptist Church, where she also served as a Mother of the church; and

WHEREAS, Willie Thomas was known throughout the Peoria Heights neighborhood as "Miss Earlene"; she was best known for her volunteer work at Carver Center, where she spent hours encouraging others and spreading laughter; she made it a point to drive to the center and visit her friends to bring a smile to their faces; the young and old always loved her visits and witty sense of humor; and

WHEREAS, Willie Thomas was preceded in death by her siblings, Julius and Louis Brady; and her daughter; and

WHEREAS, Willie Thomas is survived by her sons, George Edward Ward Sr. and Eugene Powell Jr.; her seventeen grandchildren; her forty-seven great-grandchildren; her seven great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Willie Thomas; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Willie Thomas as an expression of our sympathy.