SR0293 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0293 LRB104 13441 LAW 25830 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Blanchie B. White Wilcox, who passed away on April 16, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Blanchie White Wilcox was born to Vella Canada and Lonnie Johnson Sr. in Chickasaw, Arkansas on May 30, 1935; she committed to her faith at an early age through her grandparents' church in Moscow, Arkansas; she received her education from the school system in Winchester, Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, Blanchie White Wilcox married Carl Lee White Sr. in Arkansas on January 16, 1951, and they had eight children; she and her husband relocated to Texas in 1952, where they lived for five years before relocating their family to Chicago in 1957; shortly thereafter, she and her family joined the New Zion M.B. Church, which became the Joshua M.B. Church in 1962; when her husband became pastor in April 1964, she became first lady of the church, where she was noted for faithfully serving as a confident, self-aware mother of wisdom with style, poise, and grace for many years; and

WHEREAS, Blanchie White Wilcox later moved her membership to Sweet Kingdom M.B. Church, where she served on the love ministry and the nurse's board; she married Clearance Wilcox in the early 1990s, and their union had no children before he preceded her in death; after relocating to Markham, she joined Victory Christian International Ministries, which was under the leadership of her son, Apostle Carl White Jr., where she served until her passing; and

WHEREAS, Blanchie White Wilcox worked for General Electric (GE) Motors for more than 20 years, where she was beloved and respected; she retired from GE Motors in 1991; she later returned to the workforce, serving as a home health aide at Waterford Estates Nursing Home until she fully retired to care for her cousin, Mary Lee Hall; and

WHEREAS, Blanchie White Wilcox was deeply committed to her faith and loved gospel music; and

WHEREAS, Blanchie White Wilcox was a compassionate altruist and humanitarian, never meeting a stranger and remaining dedicated to improving the lives of others; she was a matriarch in every sense of the word, becoming a surrogate mother, special grandmother, and spiritual mother to many of her children's friends while extending love, wisdom, and guidance; and

WHEREAS, Blanchie White Wilcox was preceded in death by her parents, Vella Canada and Lonnie (Gloria) Johnson Sr.; her grandparents, Pastor Johnnie and Estella Jackson; her son, Kenneth White; her grandson, Romiell Williams; her siblings, James Canada, Kathleleen Canada-Allen, Zeffline Canada, and Della Gordan; and the father of her children, Pastor Carl White Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Blanchie White Wilcox is survived by her children, Apostle Carl Lee (Pamela) White Jr., Annette (Pealie) Northington, Vicky (Andre) Williams, James (Carol) White, Timothy White, Shilod White, and Laurn White; her bonus daughter, Pharstiner Cash; 42 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Lonnie (Denise) Johnson Jr.; her sisters-in-love, Madine (Calvin) Davis and LuWilla Canada; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Blanchie B. White Wilcox 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 Blanchie White Wilcox as an expression of our deepest sympathy.