SR0660 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0660 LRB101 14275 MST 63152 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sammie L. Garrett Parker of North Chicago, who passed away on August 28, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Sammie Parker was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi to John and Freddie Garrett on September 2, 1930; she was a member of Mt. Nebo Methodist Church in Pontotoc, where she participated in the Children's Choir and was a Leader and Sunday School Teacher; she attended Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, Mississippi and married Andrew Galloway; after his passing, she married John L. Parker; she moved to North Chicago in 1956; and

WHEREAS, Sammie Parker was employed by the Downey Veteran Administration Hospital in Lake County; she retired in 1988; and

WHEREAS, In retirement, Sammie Parker turned her interest to her community; she volunteered for Meals-On-Wheels and was an active member of the Lake County Community Choir, ministering in song to area nursing homes; she was known for showing compassion and personally meeting the needs of others by providing financial support, transportation, and shopping assistance; she was also a member of the Quarter Century Club and served as a Lake County election judge for many years; and

WHEREAS, Sammie Parker was a member of Mt. Sinai Institutional Baptist Church, where she served for 63 years; she was involved with the Young Matrons, Ruth Circle, and the Vacation Bible School; she served as Children's Sunday School Teacher and was a member and vice president of the Mother's Ministry and president of the Senior Choir; she was also a member and treasurer of the Lake County Chapter of Church Women United; and

WHEREAS, Sammie Parker was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Andrew Galloway and John L. Parker; her son, Jon L. Parker Jr.; her brothers, Robert, Lee, Shelby, Otis, George, Myron, and John Garrett; her sisters, Clara Hillman, Idella Hollis, Mary Austin, and Frankie Stewart; her grandson, David E. Brewton; and her great-granddaughter, Ivy Marie Sanchez White; and

WHEREAS, Sammie Parker is survived by her daughters, Jo Anne (Ernest) Brewton and Myrtle (James) White; her daughter-in-law, Carolyn Parker; her brother-in-law, Charles (Verna) Parker; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; and her special nieces, Ernestine Dave, Vanise McGill, Ruby Williams, Jaqueline Garrett-Parsons, and Zen Owens; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Sammie L. Garrett Parker and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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