HR0922LRB097 21043 KXB 68359 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Thelma
4Bernice Burnett of Chicago, who passed away on March 22, 2012;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, She was born Thelma Bernice James on June 15, 1940
7in Pickens, Mississippi; she was the first child of Deacon
8George James II and Mother Lillian James; the James family
9moved to Chicago when Bernice was in preschool and, even at
10young age, she commanded attention from those she encountered
11because of her lively spirit and outgoing personality; from her
12elementary school years at Felsenthal through her time at
13Dunbar high school, she remained involved in several
14activities, including the majorettes and Girl Scouts; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Setting the foundation for her life, she dedicated
16herself to the Lord on August 3,1958 at her childhood church
17home, Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church; she partook in
18many activities, including the Women's Auxiliary Board, and
19remained a member for more than 60 years; and
 
20    WHEREAS, In 1970, she was introduced to John Burnett by one
21of her best friends, Anne Nix; after 2 years of dating, John
22proposed and they began their journey into marriage on December

 

 

HR0922- 2 -LRB097 21043 KXB 68359 r

125, 1974; and
 
2    WHEREAS, As she got older, she developed an interest in
3fashion; she strategically landed a job at Saks Fifth Avenue to
4ensure she had the first pick at the latest designer apparel
5and makeup; she made many friends at Saks, spending 33 years in
6the cosmetics department; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Thelma Burnett leaves to cherish her memory, her
8loving husband, John; her daughter, Jonese; her brother, George
9III (Barbara); her sister, Doris; her nephews, Barry (Doris),
10Gregory, and George IV; her Godson, Quincy Crockett; her
11nieces, Tina (George), Myra, and Carol (Ed); and a host of
12loving great nephews, nieces, family, and friends; therefore,
13be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of
17Thelma Burnett; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Thelma Burnett as a symbol of our
20sincere sympathy.