HR0231 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0231 LRB104 13033 LAW 24826 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Mildred Austin Kenerson of Chicago, who passed away on March 23, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Mildred Kenerson was born to Eddie Lee Perkins and Idella Harper Perkins in Braxton, Mississippi on April 19, 1919; she was educated at a Rosenwald School for Negro Children and the Piney Woods Country Life School in Piney Woods, Mississippi; while attending Jackson State College, known today as Jackson State University, she obtained her teaching certificate to educate the students in segregated Simpson County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mildred Kenerson relocated to Troy, New York in 1943, and she worked at the Watervliet Arsenal located in Troy during World War II; while there, she was also a member of the Troy branch of the NAACP; she married the late Rowland Elgin Austin in 1948, and they had two children, Rowland Austin and Carolyn Austin; she and her children relocated to Chicago to join her sisters, Monteal Magee, Wilma Perkins, and Mary Lee Stapleton, in 1958; she later married John Dubois "J.D." Kenerson in 1963, and he preceded her in death on November 22, 1983; and

WHEREAS, Mildred Kenerson was an employee of the Chicago Public Schools; she worked at the Daniel Webster Elementary School on Arthington Street from 1969 to 1999, where she performed various duties, including teaching, tutoring, serving as a parent liaison, and providing support to staff and the Reading Lab; she was noted for instilling a passion for learning in her students, serving as a mentor to her colleagues, and providing creative bulletin boards throughout the school and stage decorations for eighth grade graduations; after retiring from her 30-year career, she was presented with a proclamation from the Chicago Board of Education in recognition of her contributions to children's education; and

WHEREAS, Mildred Kenerson committed to her faith at an early age, remaining devoted to her home church, St. John Baptist Church in Braxton, Mississippi; she was a member of Bethel Methodist Church while residing in Troy, New York; after moving to Chicago, she attended New Morning Star Baptist Church at its location on Harding Street and later on Hamlin, becoming a faithful member and serving the Culinary and Beautification Ministries; she later attended Holy Starlight Missionary Baptist Church, where she helped decorate the Fellowship Hall for teas, fashion shows, and holiday programs; she then joined Greater New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church; she and her husband, John, were members of the University Charity Club of churches throughout Chicago, and she coordinated many of the club's fundraisers, including fashion shows and banquets; and

WHEREAS, Mildred Kenerson celebrated turning 100 years of age at the historic Parkway Ballroom on April 27, 2019, where she was presented a Silver Life Membership by the Westside Branch of the NAACP, a proclamation honoring her long life by the John Marshall Alumni Association, an acknowledgment of her faithfulness to St. John Baptist Church by her niece Felecia Perkins on behalf of the church, and a resolution by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, which was presented by Board President Toni Preckwinkle and sponsored by 2nd District Commissioner Dennis Deer; she was later recognized as an outstanding person who is older than 100 years at the Ezra Projects 11th Trailblazer Legacy Awards Gala in November 2023; and

WHEREAS, Mildred Kenerson wore a hat for all occasions, especially on Sunday mornings; she enjoyed a variety of activities, including baking her infamous "S" cookies and fruit cake, completing word search puzzles, watching her favorite game shows, and eating at her favorite restaurant, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen; she especially enjoyed creating handmade birthday and other special occasion cards and decorations for various churches; she cherished birthday gatherings, where she could spend time with her family, children, and "young'uns", who were often the children of her friends who saw her as another maternal figure; and

WHEREAS, Mildred Kenerson, affectionately known as "Red" or "Mrs. K", was a distinguished, outstanding, and remarkable woman of dignity, character, style, and grace; she will be remembered as a staple of the 24th Ward community and for her creativity, keen sense of humor, unique perspective, and compassion; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mildred Austin Kenerson 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 Mildred Kenerson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.