SR0552 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0552 LRB098 13830 GRL 48360 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Wanda Patricia Simmons Raymond, who passed away on September 5, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Wanda Raymond was born on June 27, 1944 in Chicago; her parents were Albert and Arnetta Simmons; she married Louis Raymond, Sr. on June 15, 1974; and

WHEREAS, Wanda Raymond was a lifelong resident of Chicago; she graduated from Englewood High School in 1963; in high school, she participated in pageants and was a member of the swim team and the camera club; in 1973, she earned her bachelor's degree from Chicago State University; she subsequently earned her master's degree from Chicago State University in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Early in her career, Wanda Raymond worked as a recreational specialist with the Chicago Park District; in 1973, she became a physical educator with the Chicago Public School District; during her tenure, she taught first aid and CPR, served as a lifeguard and water safety instructor, and developed and implemented a camping program; she also coached swimming, track, basketball, volleyball, and golf at Thomas Kelly, Benito Juarez, and William Rainey Harper High Schools; Wanda retired from Chicago Public Schools in 2008, after 25 years of diligent and dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, Wanda Raymond was ordained a minister in the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) and was a faithful and active member of Langley Avenue Church of God; she loved the Lord and served him with diligence in ministry for over 40 years; she served on numerous local and national boards within the Church of God denomination, including the Dean of Church of God Chicagoland Ministers and the Westmiddlesex Campground Board; she was also a Sunday School Superintendent, a Youth Minister at Vernon Park Church of God, a Minister at 44th Street Church of God, and a vacation bible school organizer at Langely Avenue Church of God; and

WHEREAS, Wanda Raymond enjoyed arts and crafts, physical activities, canoeing, swimming, camping, and volunteering; and

WHEREAS, Wanda Raymond was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Albert Simmons, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Wanda Raymond is survived by her husband, Louis Raymond; her son, Louis Raymond (Lauren); her grandson, Louis Charles Raymond III; her sister, Prezella (Robert) Blair; her brothers, Samuel (Rosa) Simmons, Donald (Thelma-Jean) Simmons, Garland (Cookie) Simmons, Stanford (Beverly) Simmons, and John Simmons; her sister-in-laws, Verna (Montgomery) Hayes, Barbara Young, and Tertha Durman; her brothers-in-law, Tony Raymond, Charles Raymond, and Clyde Raymond; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

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

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