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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Saundra Reveille (Witherspoon) Rule,
4who passed away on August 12, 2022; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Saundra Rule was born to Wesley B. Witherspoon
6Sr. and Cleadith Mae Jones-Witherspoon on August 6, 1939; she
7graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in June 1957; she
8earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from
9Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where she later
10received her master's degree; she married Marvin Rule in the
11mid-1960s, and he preceded her in death; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Saundra Rule was an educator for over 30 years,
13beginning her teaching career at Golden Garden Elementary
14School in East St. Louis; she later moved to several other
15schools within East St. Louis School District 189, becoming a
16spokesperson for her peers within the district and leaving her
17mark on every school and child; during her teaching career,
18she was noted for making lessons fun and bringing out the best
19in her students through building their confidence and
20self-esteem; she fought for excellence in education until her
21retirement; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Saundra Rule was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho

 

 

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1Sorority, Inc.'s Alpha Upsilon Sigma Chapter and a founding
2member of the undergraduate chapter Gamma Beta; she was
3inducted on July 29, 1961; through the sorority, she mentored
4and provided scholarships for numerous young ladies, and she
5also often served and checked on elderly sorority sisters; her
6involvement in the organization inspired her nieces and
7great-nieces to make their debut into society at the Sigma
8Gamma Rho Debutante Cotillion; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Saundra Rule committed to her faith at an early
10age; she was very active at First Baptist Church of Golden
11Garden, where she served as an usher, a choir member, and a
12Sunday school teacher; after leaving First Baptist Church, she
13became a member and mother at The Faith House in O'Fallon;
14after relocating to Atlanta, Georgia to be closer to family,
15she became a dedicated member of Salem Baptist Church until
16she could no longer attend; she remained deeply devoted to her
17faith until her passing; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Saundra Rule loved cooking, and one of her
19favorite side dishes to serve was baked apples; she enjoyed
20knitting and crocheting while watching recorded episodes of
21The Price is Right, and she was known for making a blanket for
22each newborn in the family, which are still cherished by the
23recipients; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Saundra Rule, as the oldest of five siblings, was
2a true leader, a protector, and a good listener; she was
3committed to taking care of her family, making sure they had
4everything they needed, and she treated her nieces and nephews
5as if they were her own children; she became the matriarch and
6rock of the Witherspoon family, and she will be remembered for
7her strength and wisdom; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Saundra Rule was preceded in death by her
9husband; her parents; her brother, Edward Witherspoon; and her
10sisters, Gloria Jean Witherspoon and Mary Ann Houston; and
 
11    WHEREAS, At the time of her passing, Saundra Rule was
12survived by her sister, Lenora Eunice Crockett; her brother,
13Wesley B. (Rosie) Witherspoon Jr.; her nieces and nephews,
14Cheryl (Cornell) Gordon, Keith Crockett, Kimberly (Paul) Blow,
15Cynthia (Demone) Phelps, Ronald (Tammy) Houston Jr., Joanna
16Witherspoon, Corey (Janae) Houston, Doug Robbins, Wesley B.
17(Frieda) Witherspoon III, and Thaddeus "TJ" Houston; her
18godson, Kevin Anderson; and a host of cousins, great-nieces,
19great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews,
20friends, and former students; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
23Saundra Reveille (Witherspoon) Rule and extend our sincere

 

 

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1condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
2her; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to the family of Saundra Rule as an expression of our
5deepest sympathy.