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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Dr. Pearlie Beatrice Dexter Singleton,
4who passed away on March 21, 2016; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton was born on November 19,
61930 in Tallulah, Louisiana; her parents were Willie and
7Georgia Dexter; she married Isaac Singleton on September 12,
81947; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton stood at her husband's side
10as he served as pastor at three churches, which included Mt.
11Zion Baptist Church in Joliet, for nearly 50 years; she also
12stood with him as he fought injustices for all people
13throughout the country; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton started the first GED
15classes at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and held the first
16graduation ceremony at the church; she started the church's
17mission ministry and women's ministry and implemented the first
18ministers wives ministry at Mt. Zion, which grew to involve and
19include ministers' wives throughout the entire State; she was
20also a renowned singer and a Deaconess at the church; and
 
21    WHEREAS, In 1978, Dr. Pearlie Singleton began working at

 

 

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1Joliet Junior College as a counselor in Adult Education; she
2retired after 25 years of service; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Known for speaking and teaching internationally
4as well as locally, Dr. Pearlie Singleton had a genuine concern
5for women as she dedicated her life to helping women to advance
6in the Kingdom; she was the founder and chairperson of the
7Midwest Christian Women's Conference, reaching out to women
8around the world encouraging and motivating them to find their
9purpose in life and live it according to God's will; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton served as President of the
11Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Women's
12Auxiliary for 13 years; under her leadership, a retreat was
13born and later named in her honor; she was president of Church
14Women United of Joliet for seven years and president of the
15Lebanon District Association Women's Auxiliary for three
16terms; she was a member of the National Hook-up of Black Woman
17Inc.; she also served on the board of directors of the Women's
18Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention for ten years; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton received an Honorary
20Doctorate Degree in Theology on August 17, 2013 for her work in
21the ministry; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton served her community in many

 

 

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1capacities and received numerous awards and recognitions from
2many civic organizations; she served on the Board of Directors
3of the Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center of Will and Grundy
4Counties and the JJC Foundation Board; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton is preceded in death by her
6parents and her husband, Dr. Isaac Singleton, Sr.; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton is survived by her children,
8Gloria Singleton-Hayes, Isaac Singleton, Jr., Barbara (Pastor
9Alvin) Edwards, Pastor Charles (Charlyn) Singleton, Valerie
10Jean Singleton, and Willie (Ladonna) Singleton; her 19
11grandchildren; her 19 great-grandchildren; her two
12great-great-grandchildren; and her many other relatives and
13friends; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her
16family and friends, mourn the passing of Dr. Pearlie Beatrice
17Dexter Singleton; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Dr. Pearlie Singleton as an
20expression of our sympathy.