HR0762 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0762 LRB095 13973 KXB 39786 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Mother Maybelle Johnson, who passed away on September 28, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Maybelle Johnson was born on January 6, 1913; she was the first born of eight children to the late Daisy and Handy James in Hazel Hurst, Mississippi; Maybelle attended school and graduated in Hazel Hurst, Mississippi; on June 2, 1928 Maybelle married Robert A. Johnson, who preceded her in death ; and

WHEREAS, Maybelle accepted Christ at an early age and attended the Masters Missionary Baptist Church in Hazel Hurst, Mississippi; upon moving to Chicago, she became a member of the Calvary Church in Chicago where she sang in the choir, leading songs such as Shine on Me, Christ Is All, and All at the Altar; Maybelle attended Asia M. B. Church for 34 years before becoming a member of the Saint Joseph M. B. Church family; under the leadership of Reverend Donald M. McFadden, Sr., she served faithfully on the Mothers Board until she was called home; and

WHEREAS, Mother Johnson was well gifted and talented; she wrote and spoke her own poems, never using papers or notes; her talents lead her to appear on a television show called The Big Hill Show as a regular in the late 1950's and the early 1960's; she was very well known in many churches and was often approached to share one of her poems; and

WHEREAS, Mother Johnson was known for her dynamic collection of hats, that she worn so elegantly; and for her color coordinated jewelry and accessories to match all her wardrobe; and she was known for her words of encouragement, affectionately telling others to "Hang in there" or "Keep on pushing"; and

WHEREAS, Mother Maybelle Johnson was preceded in death by her husband; her children, Thelma Lee, Rayfield, Narvell, Essie, Arlene, Elroy (Junior), Robert Earl, and a newborn; and

WHEREAS, She leaves her three daughters, Ruby Johnson, Daisy (Sammy) Holland, and Annieruth Campbell; her sister, Henrietta Arnald; her twenty grandchildren; her twenty-eight great-grandchildren; and her thirty-nine great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, church family, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Mother Maybelle Johnson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mother Maybelle Johnson as a symbol of our sympathy.