093_HR0271
LRB093 11702 KEF 15394 r
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Lona
4 Mae Martin Ford, "Mama Ford", of Chicago on April 26, 2003;
5 and
6 WHEREAS, Mama Ford, the firstborn of nine children, was
7 born on January 22, 1923 to the union of Henry and Nather
8 Martin in Carrolton, Mississippi; and
9 WHEREAS, Mama Ford's early education and spiritual growth
10 began in a small community in Carrolton where she received
11 her academic and religious training; she was united in
12 matrimony at an early age to the late Guy McDonald, and to
13 this union two children were born; and
14 WHEREAS, Years later, she married the late Jasper Ford
15 and was a loving wife for over forty years; she became a
16 member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church after moving to
17 Chicago; she later joined Tabernacle M.B. Church in Chicago,
18 where she faithfully served for over forty years; in the
19 early nineties, Mother Ford was one of the founding members,
20 under the leadership of Rev. Albert Johnson, of Living Waters
21 Baptist Church; there she served as one of the leading
22 trustees; she was a trooper in building the church's
23 membership and leading souls to Christ; she demonstrated her
24 Christianity through her relationships with those she
25 encountered on the road of life; and
26 WHEREAS, Mama Ford's culinary skills were demonstrated
27 throughout her Christian life; she especially enjoyed
28 preparing food for her family and friends; she was an
29 extraordinary woman and was a gift to all who knew her; and
30 WHEREAS, Mama Ford's passing will be deeply felt by many,
31 especially her daughter, Bernice (Walter) Singleton; her two
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1 sisters, Betty (August) Anderson and Charity Dewitt; her two
2 brothers, Bennie Martin (Jackie) and George Johnson (Bonnie);
3 her daughter-in-law, Laverne McDonald; her five
4 grandchildren, Latasha McDonald, Alene Caldwell, Guy McDonald
5 III, Shawna Harrington, and Brock Singleton; her two
6 great-granddaughters, Kailyn Harrington and Brooke Singleton;
7 and a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, and other
8 relatives and friends; and
9 WHEREAS, Mama Ford was preceded in death by her parents;
10 her son, Guy; and her late husband, Jasper; therefore, be it
11 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13 we mourn the death of Lona Mae Martin Ford along with all who
14 knew and loved her and extend our sincere condolences to her
15 family and friends; and be it further
16 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17 presented to the family of Lona Mae Martin Ford with our
18 deepest sympathy.