SR0417 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0417 LRB104 15237 ECR 28387 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Hattie B. Jones, D.Div.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones was born to Deacon Alex "Buddy Red" and Mother Lula B. (Watkins) Johnson in Madison County, Mississippi; she committed to her faith at an early age, being raised in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), including St. Mark COGIC in Canton, Mississippi; she married Lawrence C. Jones Sr. on August 10, 1940, and they relocated to Jackson, Mississippi, where they had five children and attended Davis Temple COGIC; after her husband completed his military service, she and her family settled in Chicago, where they served at Union Tabernacle COGIC and later Rehoboth COGIC; she earned her GED by attending night schools in Chicago, including Forestville North School, Wendell Phillips Academy High School, and Crane High School; she later earned a Doctor of Divinity from Logos Bible College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones held numerous roles in the course of her life, including serving as a homemaker, a nurse, a Sunday school teacher, a youth director, a missionary, an international evangelist, and an ordained pastor; she founded Evangelist Hattie B. Jones Ministries in the 1970s; while serving at Faith Temple COGIC, she expanded her ministry and was appointed overseer of Great Northern COGIC in 1979; she later established New Nation Ministries; she became the first female ordained pastor in COGIC in March 1987; over the years, she supported numerous church leaders and ministered at conferences and revivals across major U.S. cities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones was the recipient of many honors throughout her life, including receiving letters from U.S. presidents, keys to various cities, and recognition from national and local leaders; she also became the namesake of Chicago's 87th Street, located between Paulina and Wood, titled the Honorary Dr. Hattie B. Jones Way; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones was a prophetess and a trailblazer for women in ministry who touched countless lives through her ministry, teaching, and healing over the decades; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones is survived by her sisters, Prophetess Savannah Dean and Evangelist Bessie (Tony) Evans; her children, Superintendent Lawrence C. Jones, Evangelist Gailya A. Jones, and Evangelist Joyce J. Jones, Ph.D.; her son-in-law, Warner Springs; 17 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, 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 Hattie B. Jones, D.Div. 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 Dr. Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.