SR0590 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0590 LRB093 22538 KEF 52083 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Ms. Fannie G. Jones of East St. Louis on May 21, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Fannie G. Jones was born on November 22, 1922 in East St. Louis to the union of Henry and Rosie McGee Jones; she was the youngest child of six children born to this union; and

WHEREAS, Fannie was a life long resident of East St. Louis; she attended elementary and high school in School District 189 and received a bachelor's degree at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama; she continued her education, receiving her master's degree from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jones was one of the first Black substitute teachers in East St. Louis' District 189, and one of the youngest; she taught first grade at Franklin Elementary School for many years before joining the administrative staff of the District; she later became Program Coordinator of the District's Title I program until her retirement after 33 years; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jones will be forever remembered for her life's work and her dedication to humanity; in addition to being an educator, Fannie entered the political arena as the first African American to run on a statewide ticket for an elected office as the Clerk of the Illinois Supreme Court; in an effort to provide the young people of East St. Louis with an appreciation for God's outdoor wonders, Fannie, along with Canary Humphrey Jefferson, founded a two-week camp that has served the needs of over 15,000 young people, being the only Black group at Camp Ouatoga; and

WHEREAS, Fannie affiliated herself with many civic and religious groups in an effort to further her quest to be of service to her fellow man, among which are: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners; Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1968; National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. as a Delegate and Officer of the Women's Auxiliary; lst and 2nd Vice President of Women's Baptist General State Convention; Southern Area Youth Director of Baptist General State Convention of Illinois; Assistant Director of Youth Camp, National Baptist Convention; the East St. Louis Cable Board; Director of Junior and Senior Red Circle and Young Women's League at Truelight Baptist Church; Head of Culinary Committee and Missionary Board and Youth Director of Missionary Society, and other ministries at the Greater New Hope Baptist Church; President of Paramount Democratic Women; Coordinator for the Illinois State Board of Education Library Systems under the late Paul Powell; and served as a member of the Ethele Scott Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., and the East St. Louis Library Board; and

WHEREAS, Fannie has been recognized for her service by numerous groups, including the Pro Eight Club, the East St. Louis Park District, the St. Clair County Democratic Party, the Greater New Hope Baptist Church, East St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Southern Illinois University, the New Salem District Association; the Alpha Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; and the Illinois State Senate of the 90th General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Through it all, Fannie always kept her eye on God and included His teachings in every aspect of her life; she served as church clerk at Truelight Baptist Church for over 25 years before she joined Greater New Hope Baptist Church in 1974; she continued her work with the Women's Auxiliaries and Youth Departments in the New Salem Baptist District Association, Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated; at Greater New Hope Church, she was the Mission Ministry's Program Chairman; and

WHEREAS, After assisting several culinary chairmen at Greater New Hope, Fannie was appointed Chairman and enjoyed cooking and overseeing the preparation of meals for bereaved families and for other church fellowship events; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jones represented Greater New Hope at District, State, and National level conventions for twenty-two years until her health began to fail; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Fannie Gwendolyn Jones will be deeply felt by many, especially her son, Coach Carlton J. Jones; her granddaughter, Shenise D. Jones; her grandson, Carlton J. Jones, III; her sister-in-law, Harriet M. Jones; her foster brother, Maurice (Helen) Sharp; her nephew, Dr. Aaron (Dr. Rosalyn) Phillips; her three nieces, Tunya P. Robinson, Stephanie E. Jones, and Pamela Jones; her cousin, Ralph Jones, Sr.; her special cousin, Jackie Gandy Johnson; many other cousins and great nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, S.T. and Fred Jones; and her sisters, Willie Mae Jones Watkins, Lureatha Jones Phillips, and Risbia Jones Randolph; and

WHEREAS, Fannie's candle will forever burn in the many, many people whose lives she touched and impacted with her kind wisdom; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Fannie Gwendolyn Jones along with all who knew and loved her and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Fannie Gwendolyn Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.