SR0088 - 104th General Assembly 


 

 
SR0088LRB104 11908 LAW 21999 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Joan Cavaness (Graves) Edwards of 
4Anna, who passed away on December 20, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Joan Edwards was born to Joe M. and Lena Mae 
6(Cavaness) Graves in Mounds on September 3, 1929; she was a 
7resident of Southern Illinois for all of her life, moving to 
8Anna when she was two years old; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Joan Edwards worked as an licensed practical 
10nurse (LPN) administrator at Choate Mental Health as well as a 
11dietary and purchasing agent for Head Start; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Joan Edwards was a community servant of the 
13highest caliber and always an outspoken advocate for Union 
14County; as a hospital board member for 25 years, her proudest 
15achievement was having the heliport at Union County Hospital 
16named after her due to her efforts in securing it; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Joan Edwards was a member of Mount Moriah 
18Lutheran Church and several other organizations, including the 
19Daughters of the Union Veterans and the Masonic Order of the 
20White Shrine of Jerusalem, where she held the honor of Past 
21Worthy High Priestess; she was also a Kentucky Colonel of the 
 
 
SR0088- 2 -LRB104 11908 LAW 21999 r

1Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, a commission of 
2distinction that can only be given by the Governor of the 
3Commonwealth of Kentucky; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Joan Edwards will be remembered as the 
5"Queen-Mom" of her local Red Hat Society; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Joan Edwards was preceded in death by her 
7parents; her son, Major Louis Joe Wohlwend; her granddaughter, 
8Jackie Edwards; and one great-grandson; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Joan Edwards is survived by her sons, Quinn 
10Edwards and Jason Edwards; her daughters-in-law, Holly 
11Wohlwend and Katie Edwards; her stepdaughter, Mary Lenigk; 
12five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; therefore, 
13be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
16Joan Cavaness (Graves) Edwards and extend our sincere 
17condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
18her; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
20presented to the family of Joan Edwards as an expression of our 
21deepest sympathy.