HR0403 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0403 LRB103 32803 MST 62607 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Devola Mae Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Devola Johnson was born to Andrew Jackson and Thelma Hampton in Chicago Heights on June 16, 1939; she committed to her faith at an early age; she attended Washington Elementary School in Chicago Heights, where she began her love for helping people and caring for children; and

WHEREAS, Devola Johnson married William "Bill" Jones, and their family settled in Ford Heights, where they fought through extreme hardship in one of the poorest communities in the South Suburbs and raised eight of their children in addition to seven other children at their 918 East 15th Street home; after her husband's tragic passing in the winter of 1986, she fought to care for her family, which included caring for her grandchildren and her sister Stella's children, Sharon and Robin Hampton; she was assisted by her daughter, Christel, and they raised 13 children while living in a three-bedroom apartment and surviving on one income; she worked nights and cared for the children during the day; she moved her entire family out of Ford Heights due to increasing violence, which saved her family and allowed them to become the men and women they are today; and

WHEREAS, Devola Johnson became a nurse at a young age and later acquired the necessary skills to become a certified nurse's assistant (CNA), and she provided excellent care to patients and their families; her nursing career started at the Glenwood Rehab Facility and continued at Woodside Rehabilitation, also known as Bria Rehabilitation, in South Chicago Heights; she retired from nursing in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Devola Johnson was proud to celebrate alongside her son, Thaddeus Monteleone Jones, upon his election to the Calumet City Council in 1997, where he became the first African American alderman in the 100-year history of Calumet City and later was elected as the city's first African American mayor in 2021; she moved her family to Calumet City, becoming a part of the Calumet City community and continuing her passion for teaching and working with children; and

WHEREAS, Devola Johnson left her mark on various organizations and elected officials, including Thornton Township Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli; and

WHEREAS, Devola Johnson was affectionately known as "The Mother of Children"; she nurtured and raised many generations of children, including her own in addition to nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless other children in the family; she will be remembered for her dedication to her family; and

WHEREAS, Devola Johnson was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Albert Wynn and Charles Wynn; her children, Bertha "Tuttie" Johnson and Willie (Sherry) Johnson; and her best friend and sister, Evelyn Powell; and

WHEREAS, Devola Johnson is survived by her children and their families, Antoine (Wilma) Johnson, Barbara Jean Jones (Kenny Johnson, Rodney Jones, Reggie Jones, and Demetrius Johnson), Willie "Kazoo" Johnson (Brittany Johnson and Reba Johnson), Andre Johnson (Pierre Johnson, Andre Johnson Jr., and Shemia Johnson), Christel R. Johnson (Shanall, Shaquania Ward, and Gentry Johnson), Thaddeus (Saprina) Jones (Thaddeus Monteleone "Monte" Jones Jr. and Preston Jones), Jasmine Jones (Isiah Jones, Caleb Jones, and Joy Jones); her brother, E. Henry "Pee Wee" Hampton; and a host of nieces and nephews and their families; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Devola Mae Johnson 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 Devola Johnson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.