SR0231 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0231 LRB097 11880 KXB 55323 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Earlene Ray of Joliet, who passed away on April 30, 2011; and

WHEREAS, She was born to the union of Joshua and Rosie Crenshaw of Blytheville, Arkansas, October 25, 1935; she grew up and attended primary and secondary schools in Blytheville, where she was active in her local church and community until her relocation to Joliet in early 1956; and

WHEREAS, She was united in Holy Matrimony to William "Bill" Ray, also of Blytheville, in 1955; she remained a loving and faithful wife until his passing in June of 2002; and

WHEREAS, She united in fellowship with All Nations Church of God In Christ in early 1956, where she remained a faithful and active member; during her nearly fifty-five year membership, Mother Earlene Ray cheerfully and diligently served in various capacities of church service and leadership, including her service of forty-one years as Sunday School Superintendent; she took special delight in providing nurture and care to the sick and shut in through her weekly visits to local hospitals and homes, always accompanied by her faithful travelling companion, Mother Sarah Marsh; and she was a proud member of the All Nations Mother's Board; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her husband, William; her sisters, Amanda, Annie, and Daisy; and her brothers, George, Cecil, and W.T.; and

WHEREAS, Earlene Ray is survived by her elder son, Bishop Harold Calvin Ray and her loving daughter-in-law, Brenda Ray; her younger son, Anthony (Tony); her brother, Robert C. (Annie) Crenshaw; her grandchildren, Christopher Calvin and Whitney Nicole; her great-grandchildren, Jahrel, A'Mare, and A'Myah; her devoted neighbors of forty years, Edgar and Gertrude Martin; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, in-laws, and special 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 Earlene Ray; and be it further

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