SR0958 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0958 LRB097 23277 GRL 72106 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Martha Francis Jones, who passed away on October 19, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Martha Jones was born on August 31, 1938; her parents were Era and Robert Gavins; she married Harry L. Woodard in 1958; she later married Maurice E. Jones on September 1, 1975; and

WHEREAS, Martha Jones attended Lockport High School and graduated from Dudley Beauty College as a licensed cosmetologist; in 1996, she graduated from Midwest Apostolic Bible College with a bachelor's degree in Christian education; and

WHEREAS, Martha was baptized in August of 1980 at the Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church, under the pastorate of Bishop D. Rayford Bell; she received the Holy Ghost that same month and remained a member of Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church until her passing; she served in many capacities at Christ Temple, including Sunday School teacher, member of the Missionary Choir, director of the Missionary Choir, Amalgamated Choir member, cook, Noon-Day Prayer Chairman, and Pastor's Aide Chairman; she enjoyed coming to the church at 6 AM to prepare breakfast for the saints; she also served as a professor for sign language, hermeneutics, and Romans at Midwest Apostolic Bible College while working as a stylist for saints all over Chicago and Indiana; and

WHEREAS, Martha Jones was preceded in death by her parents; her 2 brothers; and her sister; and

WHEREAS, Martha Jones is survived by her devoted husband, Elder Maurice E. Jones; her son, Kenneth L. Woodard, Sr.; her daughter-in-law, Delphine A. Woodard; her granddaughter, Akesta (Andrew) Hoskins; her grandsons, Kenneth L. (Gloria) Woodard, Kelly L. (Shawntel) Woodard, and Korey L. Woodard; her 8 great-grandchildren; her step-daughter, Gwendolyn Jackson; her sisters, Eva Polk, Betty Smith, and Betty Hill; her brother, John Phillips; her special daughter, Elaine (Joe) Robison; her goddaughter, Tiffinae Hunt-Reeves; her close friends, Savana Milton, Lourene Miller, and Brenda Jackson; and her many nieces, nephews, other relatives, fellow saints, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Martha Francis Jones; and be it further

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