SR0023 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0023 LRB095 06512 KXB 26613 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charlotte M. Brown of Alton, who passed away on January 4, 2007; and

WHEREAS, She married Benjamin A. Brown on November 23, 1963; she was a proud graduate of Alton High School and attended SIU-Alton to study business and nursing courses; and

WHEREAS, Charlotte Brown was active in many organizations, including her family music group, the Jones Sisters Ensemble; she was a member of the Alton Jubilee Mass Community Choir and a former member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America; and

WHEREAS, Charlotte Brown and her sister, the late Irma J. Jones, organized a Federated Girls Club under the National Association of Colored Women's Club (NACWC); the sisters and other members later formed Tri Del Federated Club Women and the Clovette Civic Girls Club; she served as supervisor of the Clovettes for more than 40 years; as part of NACWC she served in various offices at both regional and State levels, working with young people to help improve their lives; and

WHEREAS, She was actively involved at Campbell Chapel and later St. Paul AME St. Louis, serving in the young people's department, steward board, Sunday School, choir, and other auxiliaries; and she served as church secretary at Campbell Chapel for a number of years; and

WHEREAS, She worked at the YWCA as a receptionist for many years, at the Alton School Systems for 30 years, and as an independent Mary Kay consultant for 27 years; and

WHEREAS, Charlotte Brown's life was one of service, inspiration, strength, and beauty; she used her life to positively touch the lives of countless young people and friends; and

WHEREAS, Charlotte Brown was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Damon and Willie Ann Jones; her brother, the Reverend Damon Jones; her sisters, Irma and Doris Jones; her godson, Patrick Jones; and her nephews, Lawrence Gray and Gary Saunders; and

WHEREAS, The memory of Charlotte Brown will be cherished by her husband, Benjamin; her daughter, Sharla (Ky) Ajayi; her granddaughters, Dayo and Sade Ajayi; her sisters, Reverend Jean (Oscar) Gatewood and Janie Rainey; her brothers, Raymond (Josie) Jones, Ronald Jones, and Joseph Jones; her sisters, Waleen Jones, Joyce Jones, Gwen Barrett, and Willie Delores (Linwood) Elliott; her nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, and club sisters; her godsons, Michael Gray, and Delaney Seales; her goddaughter, Kametra Elliott; and her special niece, Ranetta Jones; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family, friends, and all who knew her, the passing of Charlotte Brown; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Charlotte Brown as a symbol of our deepest sympathy.