SR0399 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0399 LRB095 14065 KXB 39917 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Ella Clayborne Spires of East St. Louis, who passed away on July 5, 2007; and

WHEREAS, "Aunt Mary" or "Mary Tee", as she was affectionately referred to by her nieces and nephews, was born on November 5, 1916, the eighth child born to the union of Indiana (Stennis) and Jesse Clayborne in Dekalb, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ella Clayborne confessed a hope in Christ at an early age; she was 18 when her family moved to East St. Louis, where she joined the Mount Zion Church in 1937 under the Pastorate of Rev. R. B. Haney; she was a faithful member for 70 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1940 Mary graduated from Lincoln High School in East St. Louis and went on to Cosmetology College; she met the love of her life, Albert Spires and united in holy matrimony on February 3, 1942; Mary was a member of the Greater Beauticians Association of East St. Louis for many years; she was an avid fisherwoman and loved introducing the sport to her nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews; and

WHEREAS, Mary Tee had a loyal companion named Spot, who died nine days prior to her death on July 5, 2007; her mother, father, husband, and twelve siblings also preceded her in death; and

WHEREAS, She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory her sister, Mamie Clayborne Bolden; her brother, Calvin Clayborne; her sister-in-law, Edna Clayborne; her aunt, Ruth Ulmer; her devoted nieces, Barbara Clayborne King (Johnny) and Dorothy Owensby; her devoted nephew, James Clayborne; her special friend/niece, Brenda Staples; and many more nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and a host of cousins and friends; 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 Mary Ella Clayborne Spires; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mary Ella Clayborne Spires as a symbol of our sympathy.