SR0596 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0596 LRB096 19856 KXB 35311 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mercerline Dye of East St. Louis, who passed away on January 12, 2010; and

WHEREAS, She was born on September 12, 1952 in Saint Louis, Missouri, to Charles and Betty Pettus and was lovingly called "Sugar Puddin"; she graduated from East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School in the top 5% of the Class of 1970; she was one of the first students enrolled in the Demonstration Class in English for the State of Illinois, a member of the National Honor Society, and a charter member of the AKA Pearls; and

WHEREAS, She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Southern Illinois University; she entered State Community College and attended an accelerated nursing program; she became an R.N. and worked at Home Health Care, CMC, Barnes Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, and St. Elizabeth's Hospital before retiring in 1988; and

WHEREAS, She married Calvin Mercerline in 1973; she enjoyed dancing, shopping, and "cooking at midnight"; and

WHEREAS, She was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church and was baptized on October 15, 1967 under the pastorate of Reverend M.R. Lemons and served on the Health Unit Board; she became an active member of Love Alive Petra Ministries in St. Louis in 2005 under the pastorate of Reverend Lillie Marable and Reverend Earl Anthony; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her brother, Carlos Pettus; and

WHEREAS, She is survived by her children, Rayonda Dye and Calvin Dye, Jr.; her parents; her brothers, Ramon Pettus and Andre (Carolyn) Brown; her life long friends, Alma Green and Roxanne Carroway; and her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mercerline Dye as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.