SR0019 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0019 LRB098 05567 GRL 35604 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Josephine Armstead-Bowman of Dixmoor, who passed away on January 7, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Josephine Armstead-Bowman was born on December 3, 1935, in Chicago; her parents were the late Mr. Korandus and Mrs. Annie Bee Lax-Armstead; she married Benjamin Bowman Sr. on December 28, 1958; and

WHEREAS, Josephine Armstead-Bowman received her general education from the Chicago Public School System; she later undertook training to become a cosmetologist and beauty professional; and

WHEREAS, As a young woman, Josephine Armstead-Bowman joined the St. James Church of God in Christ and acknowledged and received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior; for many years, she participated in numerous church activities, including the Sunday School Ministry, Young Peoples' Willing Workers (YPWW), and the Youth Choir; she later sang with a chorale called the Jubilee Five; and

WHEREAS, In the winter of 1970, Josephine Armstead-Bowman became the first lady of the Revival Center Church of God In Christ, supporting her husband's calling into the ministry as Senior Pastor of a newly established congregation; for 25 years, she served the people of God untiringly, teaching in multiple areas of the church, including the Sunday School Department, the YPWW, Bible Band, and the Voices of Revival Center Choir; she also acted as a surrogate mother to many of the parishioners attending and joining the ministry; in 1996, she decided to move her fellowship and joined the Tabernacle Church of God In Christ, where she served on the Mother's Board; she also served in the Women's Ministry, taught young women how to knit and crochet, engaged in Bible study, and played the piano during her time at the church; in 2002, she joined the charismatic ministry of the Abounding Life Church of God In Christ in Posen and faithfully served on the Mother's Board until her health prevented her from active ministry; and

WHEREAS, Josephine Armstead-Bowman is survived by her children, Lolita Bowman-Butts (Pastor Walter James Butts), Brenda Faye Bowman-Harris (Napoleon Harris, Jr., deceased), Benjamin Bowman. Jr. (Cynthia Delores Jackson-Bowman), Pastor Raymond Bowman (Nancee Brantly-Bowman), Hazel Ann Bowman, Kenneth Jerome Bowman (Rhonda Rene Lockett-Bowman), Regina Elaine Bowman-Batiste (Anthony Batiste), Pastor Nathaniel Bowman, Sr. (Natasha Pleshita Campbell-Bowman), Josephine Bowman-McDonald (Michael McDonald), Elijah Bowman (Chymica Laminer-Bowman), Emmanuel Bowman (Cedeliah LaShone Tatum-Bowman), and Kelvin Bowman (Dominique Thompson-Bowman); her siblings, Ida Bell Armstead-Scott, Frances Rosamound Armstead-McDonald, Shirley Mae Armstead, and Henry Lee Armstead; her sisters-in-law, Ruth Johnson, Ruby Baker, Marleen Bowman, and Ola (Mary) Armstead; her cousins, Melvin and Susie Armstead; her faithful friend, Evangelist Earlene Travis; her 38 grandchildren, including Illinois State Senator Napoleon Harris, III; her 6 great-grandchildren; and her many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; and

WHEREAS, Josephine Armstead-Bowman will be remembered fondly by all who knew her as a devoted and loving wife, an unselfish and nurturing mother, and a loyal friend whose piety and caring nature endeared her to everyone she met; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Josephine Armstead-Bowman; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Josephine Armstead-Bowman as an expression of our sympathy.