SR0716 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0716 LRB095 21449 GRL 50893 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Fern O. Watts of East St. Louis, who passed away on April 27, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts was born on August 4, 1924 in Natchitoches, Louisiana; she was the youngest of three daughters to Jessie and Mary Shannon; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana until her junior year in high school, when she moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas; she worked as a florist and in a dress-shop while attending high school; she also volunteered at the high school, where she washed blackboards, swept floors, and assisted with other custodial work; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts received her formal education in the Louisiana and Arkansas Public School System; she continued her education in East St. Louis at State Community College and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts moved to East St. Louis in the early 1940s, where she met her soul mate Leroy "Chops" Watts, Sr., marrying him in 1945; in addition to raising their only child, Janice, they assisted with the upbringing of his three sons from a previous marriage; Fern and Leroy eventually became members of the Mt. Parin Baptist Church, which would later be known as Mt. Paron for more than 60 years; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts' work history includes employers such as Walgreen's and the City of East St. Louis, where she served in positions including Model Cities, the Community Development Department, the Economic Development Department, and the Real Estate Division; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts was a community leader and activist, working tirelessly for the citizens of East St. Louis; her accomplishments and participation with various organizations spanned over a 30 year period; she was the recipient of the Kimmel Community Service Award in 2001 in the environmental and civic betterment category in recognition of her work; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts was involved in many civic organizations; she was a member of Solutia's Community Advisory Panel, the New Mississippi River Bridge Project Community Involvement Group, and the University of Illinois Urban Planning Group; she was the president and creator of the South End New Development Organization (SENDO); she was a Past President of the Metro East Toastmasters Club #2878; in January of 2007, she was honored as Citizen of the Month by the City of East St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, Despite her numerous other commitments, Fern O. Watts took the time to read to students at one of the local elementary schools once a week; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her sisters, Willis Lewis and Opal M. Jackson; and

WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts is survived by her daughter, Janice R. Watts; her godson, Reverend Anthony D. Vinson, Sr.; her special nephew and niece, Phillip Lewis and Deloris Benjamin; her 11 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Derender L. Watts; her brother-in-law, Ralph T. (Betty) Eubanks; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; 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 and friends, the passing of Fern O. Watts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Fern O. Watts as an expression of our sympathy.