HR0102 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0102 LRB101 10888 MST 56033 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson of Urbana, who passed away on February 2, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was born in Urbana to Joseph Leo and Hattie Virginia (Thompson) Hassell on October 6, 1940; she graduated from Champaign High School (Central High School) on June 5, 1958 and married Carlos Franklin Donaldson Sr. on February 2, 1960; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson began employment at the University of Illinois in the Office of Admissions and Records, where she was employee of the year in 1986, 1987, and 1988; she retired as Assistant to the Director of Admissions in 1995; she went back to work part time in 1997 for the Director of Development at the University of Illinois in the School of Social Work and retired in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was instrumental in the integration of Urbana schools, the first in the State of Illinois; she chaired the City of Urbana Human Relations Commission for over 15 years and was a member of the U of I Black Caucus; she also served on the U of I Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Women from 1982 to 1985; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson grew up at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church; she returned to the church three years ago after serving with her husband for 53 years at Bethel A.M.E. Church; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson received numerous awards, including the 1982 U of I Black Mom of the Year, the 2000 University of Illinois Liberal Arts and Sciences Bridge/Transition Recognition Award, the 2000 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Champaign County Award, the 2004 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Pearls of Wisdom Award, the 2005 National Council of Negro Women Mother of the Year Award, the 2012 University of Illinois YWCA Leadership/Trailblazer Award, the 2017 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award, and the 2017 University of Illinois College of Education's Honorary James Scholar Award; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Joan Hassell Alexander; and her nephews, Brian A. and Kerry L. Alexander; and

WHEREAS, Willeta Donaldson is survived by her husband of 59 years, Carlos; her children, Carlos Franklin Jr. (Mae Nunnery) Donaldson, Carletta Jo Donaldson, and Dennis Keith (Denise Stanley) Donaldson; her grandchildren, Ryan Carlos and Blake Donaldson, Chad (Kathy Boetcher) Pellum, Amber (Justin) Duncan, and Kyle Pellum; her great-grandchildren, Delaney Duncan and Kylie Pellum; her brothers, Joseph L. and Charles E. (Betty J. Lewis) Hassell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson 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 Willeta Donaldson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.