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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Willie Mae McEwen, who passed away on
4 April 18, 2009; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Willie Mae McEwen, affectionately known as Ms.
6 Willie, was born July 26, 1949, in Chicago, to Thomas and Ruth
7 Lee Loney; Willie Mae attended school in the Chicago Public
8 school system; she accepted Christ at an early age and was
9 baptized at the Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church by the
10 late Reverend Joseph A. Allen; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Willie Mae married her childhood sweetheart,
12 Ralph McBride Sr., who preceded her in death; to this union two
13 sons were born, Salvador and Ralph; during their union Ralph's
14 active duty in the Armed Services allowed Willie Mae to travel
15 around the world; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Willie Mae's journey through life was not easy,
17 however, she was able to capture many aspects in her poetry;
18 despite all her obstacles, she rededicated her life to Christ
19 at Mt. Hermon where she was a mentor and guiding light for
20 other young women; Willie Mae strived to do and know more, so
21 she pursued higher academic achievements; she earned an
22 Associate Degree in Applied Science with emphasis in Mental

 

 

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1 Health/Addiction Studies from Kennedy-King College with honors
2 in May of 2005; and
 
3     WHEREAS, After receiving her degree, Willie Mae was
4 employed at HRDI-Human Resources Development Institute where
5 she was inspirational in leading many women to Christ; she met
6 and fell instantly in love with Reverend "Chef" John and in
7 August 2005, Willie Mae married Reverend John McEwen; following
8 God's direction to worship with her husband, she joined
9 Cathedral Baptist Church, where she served as the President of
10 the Prayer Band and a member of the Women's Ministry until God
11 called her home; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Willie Mae McEwen was preceded in death by her
13 son, Ralph; her mother and father; her three brothers and one
14 sister; and
 
15     WHEREAS, She leaves to mourn her loving husband, John
16 McEwen; her son, Salvador (Tonese) Woodie; her three
17 step-daughters, Rita, Janae, and April; her granddaughter,
18 Amber; her grandfather, John H Doyle Sr.; her three sisters,
19 Dianna (Walter) Caston, Elizabeth Derrick, and Carol (Eugene)
20 Langston; her brother, Norval (Loretta) Davenport III; her
21 mother-in-law, Carrie Jones; her four brother-in-laws, Robert
22 (Brenda) McEwen, James (Linda) McEwen, Cedric (Juanita)
23 McEwen, and Erwin (Debee) McEwen; her four sister-in-laws,

 

 

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1 Shirley (Gary) Hearns, Idela (Elias) Daughrity, Doris McGhee,
2 and Carolyn (Alvin) McBride; her favorite aunt and uncle, John
3 Jr. and Joyce Doyle, who were like a brother and sister to her;
4 her three aunts, Angelina Brown, Katie Doyle, and Jacqueline
5 (Addis) McCarroll; her 64 nieces and nephews; her 51
6 grandnieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and friends; she
7 also leaves behind one grand niece, Danetta Loney, that she
8 called her daughter; therefore, be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
10 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
11 her family and friends, the passing of Willie Mae McEwen; and
12 be it further
 
13     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14 presented to the family of Willie Mae McEwen as a symbol of our
15 sincere sympathy.