SR0225 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0225 LRB097 11924 KXB 55382 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bertha "Boots" Harrison of Alton, who passed away on April 27, 2011; and

WHEREAS, She was born December 24, 1935, to the union of Milton and Dorothy (Hawkins) Stewart in Jersey County; Boots, as she was affectionately called, attended and graduated from the Jerseyville public schools; and

WHEREAS, In July 1955, the former Ms. Stewart married Walter "Bubble" Harrison Sr.; Mrs. Harrison was employed for John Olin as a day worker, the Madison County Court House as an elevator operator, and the Madison County Juvenile Detention Center, retiring in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Sister Bertha received Christ at an early age and was baptized at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church under the late Pastor William Binford; she was a lifelong member of the church and served as matron, mass choir member, and worked on the kitchen committee; Boots also was faithful member of the Merry Hearts; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; her brother, William Stewart; and her granddaughter, Zariah Harrison; and

WHEREAS, Celebrating the lasting legacy of Mrs. Bertha L. Harrison are her sons, Robert (Suzanne), Steven, Pastor Gregory (Eddie Mae), and Walter "Juney" (Cookie) Jr.; her special daughter-in-law, Theresa Harrison; her 13 grandchildren; her 30 great-grandchildren; her 3 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, Loretta (Gerald) Hutchinson and Marie (Rick) Stewart; her brother, Kenneth Stewart; her special cousins, James (Claudette) Day, Delores "Faye"(Richard) Hutchinson, and Dave (Vivian) Greer; her good friend, Anna Mae Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Bertha "Boots" Harrison; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bertha "Boots" Harrison as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.