SR1277 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1277 LRB102 29426 LAW 41422 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gertie Lee Bell of Chicago, who passed away on October 22, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Gertie Bell was born to Major Dunn Sr. and Helena (Jones) Dunn in Lake Providence, Louisiana on June 23, 1927; she was the youngest of 10 children; she lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Omaha, Nebraska before moving to Chicago in the early 1950s; she married Eugene Bell Sr., and they had two sons, Eugene Jr. and Michael D.; and

WHEREAS, Gertie Bell worked as an assistant director and director of Financial Aid at Roosevelt University and Chicago State University, both located in Chicago; she was one of a handful of founding members of Governors State University, located in University Park, a south suburb of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Gertie Bell also served as a teacher for the Chicago Board of Education for more than 30 years; during her tenure, she assisted thousands of students, ranging from the elementary school level to the college level; from assisting them in receiving financial aid for college courses to teaching them in direct classroom instruction, she cared for and was available for every student; and

WHEREAS, Gertie Bell committed to her faith at an early age and was baptized in Lake Providence, Louisiana; she was a member of Greater Walters A.M.E. Zion Church of Chicago at the time of her passing; and

WHEREAS, Gertie Bell was preceded in death by her parents; her five brothers and four sisters; her husband; and her son, Michael D. Bell; and

WHEREAS, Gertie Bell is survived by her son, Eugene (Dorothy) Bell Jr.; her grandchildren, Eugene (Whitney) Bell III, Christopher Bell, and Jennifer (Jason) Shealy; her great-grandchildren, Noah Bell, Jillian Shealy, Isaiah Bell, and Jeremiah Shealy; her nieces, Mildred, Cothene, and Sharon; her nephew, James; and a host of other relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gertie Lee Bell and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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