HR0922LRB097 21043 KXB 68359 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Thelma 
4Bernice Burnett of Chicago, who passed away on March 22, 2012; 
5and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, She was born Thelma Bernice James on June 15, 1940 
7in Pickens, Mississippi; she was the first child of Deacon

8George James II and Mother Lillian James; the James family 
9moved to Chicago when Bernice was in preschool
and, even at 
10young age, she commanded attention from those she encountered 
11because of her lively
spirit and outgoing personality; from her 
12elementary school years at Felsenthal through her time at 
13Dunbar high school, she remained
involved in several 
14activities, including the majorettes and Girl Scouts; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Setting the foundation for her life, she dedicated 
16herself to the Lord on August 3,1958 at her childhood
church 
17home, Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church; she partook in 
18many activities, including the
Women's Auxiliary Board, and 
19remained a member for more than 60 years; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, In 1970, she was introduced to John Burnett by one 
21of her best friends, Anne Nix; after 2 years of dating, John 
22proposed
and they began their journey into marriage on December 
 
 
HR0922- 2 -LRB097 21043 KXB 68359 r

125, 1974; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, As she got older, she developed an interest in 
3fashion; she strategically landed a job at
Saks Fifth Avenue to 
4ensure she had the first pick at the latest designer apparel 
5and makeup; she made
many friends at Saks, spending 33 years in 
6the cosmetics department; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Thelma Burnett leaves to cherish her memory, her 
8loving husband, John; her daughter, Jonese; her brother,  George 
9III
(Barbara); her sister, Doris; her nephews, Barry (Doris), 
10Gregory, and George IV; her Godson, Quincy Crockett; her 
11nieces, Tina
(George), Myra, and Carol (Ed); and a host of 
12loving great nephews, nieces,
family, and friends; therefore, 
13be it
  
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
15NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
16we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of 
17Thelma Burnett; and be it further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to the family of Thelma Burnett as a symbol of our 
20sincere sympathy.