SR0246 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0246 LRB096 12510 KXB 25614 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Willie Mae McEwen, who passed away on April 18, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae McEwen, affectionately known as Ms. Willie, was born July 26, 1949, in Chicago, to Thomas and Ruth Lee Loney; Willie Mae attended school in the Chicago Public school system; she accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church by the late Reverend Joseph A. Allen; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae married her childhood sweetheart, Ralph McBride Sr., who preceded her in death; to this union two sons were born, Salvador and Ralph; during their union Ralph's active duty in the Armed Services allowed Willie Mae to travel around the world; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae's journey through life was not easy, however, she was able to capture many aspects in her poetry; despite all her obstacles, she rededicated her life to Christ at Mt. Hermon where she was a mentor and guiding light for other young women; Willie Mae strived to do and know more, so she pursued higher academic achievements; she earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science with emphasis in Mental Health/Addiction Studies from Kennedy-King College with honors in May of 2005; and

WHEREAS, After receiving her degree, Willie Mae was employed at HRDI-Human Resources Development Institute where she was inspirational in leading many women to Christ; she met and fell instantly in love with Reverend "Chef" John and in August 2005, Willie Mae married Reverend John McEwen; following God's direction to worship with her husband, she joined Cathedral Baptist Church, where she served as the President of the Prayer Band and a member of the Women's Ministry until God called her home; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae McEwen was preceded in death by her son, Ralph; her mother and father; her three brothers and one sister; and

WHEREAS, She leaves to mourn her loving husband, John McEwen; her son, Salvador (Tonese) Woodie; her three step-daughters, Rita, Janae, and April; her granddaughter, Amber; her grandfather, John H Doyle Sr.; her three sisters, Dianna (Walter) Caston, Elizabeth Derrick, and Carol (Eugene) Langston; her brother, Norval (Loretta) Davenport III; her mother-in-law, Carrie Jones; her four brother-in-laws, Robert (Brenda) McEwen, James (Linda) McEwen, Cedric (Juanita) McEwen, and Erwin (Debee) McEwen; her four sister-in-laws, Shirley (Gary) Hearns, Idela (Elias) Daughrity, Doris McGhee, and Carolyn (Alvin) McBride; her favorite aunt and uncle, John Jr. and Joyce Doyle, who were like a brother and sister to her; her three aunts, Angelina Brown, Katie Doyle, and Jacqueline (Addis) McCarroll; her 64 nieces and nephews; her 51 grandnieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and friends; she also leaves behind one grand niece, Danetta Loney, that she called her daughter; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Willie Mae McEwen; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Willie Mae McEwen as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.