HR1461 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1461 LRB096 24210 KXB 43654 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Clara Jean McKinney Puckett of Chicago, who passed away on October 18, 2010; and

WHEREAS, She was born on August 28, 1938, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Clarence and Mattie Mae Smith; she was baptized at an early age; she attended White Station Grammar School and graduated from Manassas High School in Memphis; and

WHEREAS, She moved to Chicago and met her husband, Quentin Puckett; she attended Marion Business College and earned a degree in Medical Assistance; she earned an Associate of Arts degree from Olive Harvey College; she completed courses in Sociology and Psychology at Chicago State University; she held certificated in nutrition, food service, and sanitation from Olive Harvey College; she was a licensed beautician and pursued Cosmetology; through home study, she also obtained credentials in Physical Therapy; and

WHEREAS, She was a community liaison for All Chicago Focus Newspaper, and one of the pioneers who helped elect Harold Washington as Chicago's first black Mayor; she worked vigorously in the political campaigns to elect State Representative Monique Davis and Congressman Danny K. Davis; she was a member of the Power Circle Congregation, where she also participated in the Writer's Guild and Praise Dance Ministry; she was a member of Quaker House and Brothers of the Elderly; she was known for her diligent service and longtime membership in the TAGers, an organization working on behalf of Chicago State University; she was a member and volunteer at Operation PUSH and a member of the Creation and Conservation of Wealth, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, She was devoted to community improvement and was an advocate for seniors; she worked with the Chicago Department on Aging and Disability; she started a Grand Parents Group dedicated to lighten the load of caring for grandchildren; she was active in the Girl Scouts of Chicago, a volunteer and supporter of the Meatchem Youth Center, and held office in the United Black Youth Council of America; and

WHEREAS, She was the co-host the radio talk show "Consumer Eye,"; she spoke on many occasions to groups; she started her company, Mattie's Caring Hands, a full-scale maid and maintenance service; she founded Universal Networking Consultants in 1982; she established the Think Tank Ministry and the College Care Package Program; she also taught arts and crafts while working as an assistant teacher at the St. Carthage Day Care and Woodlawn Day Care Centers; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Clara Puckett leaves behind her sons, Quitus and Quinshedrick; her daughter, Quintyra; her grandchildren, Nashid, Tariz, Musa, Jaheed, Nissan, and Tuneasha; her great-grandson, Jahzeel; her step-children, Charles, Victor, and Jackie; her nieces and nephews, a host of great nieces and great nephews; her brothers, Tony McKinney, Larry Smith, and Glenn Smith; her sisters, Pauline Washington and Leonia Pointer; her aunts, Bessie Jones, Margarine Robinson, Geneva Cook, Ernestine Coleman, and Ossie Moss; a host of cousins who enriched her life; her sister-in-law, Marcie Puckett; and her son-in-law, Darvin Williams; also, a tremendous extended family are left behind to reflect on the celebrated life of Reverend Clara Puckett; her daughters, Cassandra Scott, Gwendolyn Wells, Deborah Gray, Dorothea Drew, Oneva Scott, Nicole Watson, and Sharon Smith; her sons, Brian Smith and Herman Ward; her sisters, Mary Hooker, Claudia Ingram, Elizabeth Jacks, Doris Redic, Dee Ingram, Tracy Taylor, Tabatha (Taffica) White, and Gloria Seifullah; and her best friend, Dorothy Carpenter; and a host of friends and associates; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Reverend Clara Jean McKinney Puckett; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Reverend Clara Jean McKinney Puckett as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.