093_SR0129

 
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 1                          SENATE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, The members  of  the  Senate  of  the  State  of
 3    Illinois  were  saddened  to  learn  of the death of Lona Mae
 4    Martin Ford, "Mama Ford", of Chicago on April 26, 2003; and

 5        WHEREAS, Mama Ford, the first born of nine children,  was
 6    born  on  January  22,  1923 to the union of Henry and Nather
 7    Martin in Carrolton, Mississippi; and

 8        WHEREAS, Mama Ford's early education and spiritual growth
 9    began in a small community in Carrolton  where  she  received
10    her  academic  and  religious  training;  she  was  united in
11    matrimony at an early age to the late Guy  McDonald,  and  to
12    this union two children were born; and

13        WHEREAS,  Years  later,  she married the late Jasper Ford
14    and was a loving wife for over  forty  years;  she  became  a
15    member  of  Mt.  Pleasant  Baptist  Church  after  moving  to
16    Chicago;  she later joined Tabernacle M.B. Church in Chicago,
17    where she faithfully served for  over  forty  years;  in  the
18    early  nineties, Mother Ford was one of the founding members,
19    under the leadership of Rev. Albert Johnson, of Living Waters
20    Baptist Church; there  she  served  as  one  of  the  leading
21    trustees;   she  was  a  trooper  in  building  the  church's
22    membership and leading souls to Christ; she demonstrated  her
23    Christianity   through   her  relationships  with  those  she
24    encountered on the road of life; and

25        WHEREAS, Mama Ford's culinary  skills  were  demonstrated
26    throughout   her   Christian  life;  she  especially  enjoyed
27    preparing food for  her  family  and  friends;  she  was  and
28    extraordinary woman and was a gift to all who knew her; and

29        WHEREAS, Mama Ford's passing will be deeply felt by many,
30    especially her daughter, Bernice (Walter) Singleton;  her two
31    sisters,  Betty (August) Anderson and Charity Dewitt; her two
 
                            -2-      LRB093 11700 KEF 15385 r
 1    brothers, Bennie Martin (Jackie) and George Johnson (Bonnie);
 2    her   daughter-in-law,    Laverne    McDonald;    her    five
 3    grandchildren, Latasha McDonald, Alene Caldwell, Guy McDonald
 4    III,   Shawna   Harrington,  and  Brock  Singleton;  her  two
 5    great-granddaughters, Kailyn Harrington and Brooke Singleton;
 6    and  a  host  of  godchildren,  nieces,  nephews,  and  other
 7    relatives and friends; and

 8        WHEREAS, Mama Ford was preceded in death by her  parents;
 9    her son, Guy; and her late husband, Jasper; therefore, be it

10        RESOLVED,  BY  THE  SENATE  OF  THE  NINETY-THIRD GENERAL
11    ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of
12    Lona Mae Martin Ford along with all who knew  and  loved  her
13    and extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends;
14    and be it further

15        RESOLVED,  That  a  suitable  copy  of this resolution be
16    presented to the family of Lona  Mae  Martin  Ford  with  our
17    deepest sympathy.