SR1006 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1006 LRB101 20465 ECR 70030 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charlie Mae Brown Snowden, who passed away on January 8, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Mae Snowden was born to James Brown and Gertrude Vance Brown in Mound Bayou, Mississippi on November 12, 1923; at just three years old, she became a part of history as she and six million other African Americans traveled north in search of a better life during the Great Migration; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Mae Snowden graduated from DuSable High School in January of 1941; following graduation, Charlie Mae did several odd jobs, including work as a waitress and a hotel domestic; one day as she was walking home from work, she met John Willis Snowden; the two soon married and had five children; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Mae Snowden was devoted to Coppin Memorial AME church and served in a variety of capacities, including as a member of the Women's Chorus and the Chancel Choir and as a Sunday School Teacher; she was elected to the church's board of directors as a Steward and joined the Golden Agers of Coppin and the Excelsior's Club; the Excelsior's Club was one of the major fundraising arms of the church and organized many events, including the very successful annual fashion show, which Charlie Mae chaired on at least two occasion; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Mae Snowden was involved as a parent volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, and the Blue Birds; she served on the Mother's Board of the Parkway Gardens Homes, the Women's Auxiliary of the Woodlawn Little League, and the Mother's Board of the Parkway Garden's Christian Church; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Mae Snowden adored clothes and had an impeccable sense of style; for more than 36 years, she was employed at Saks Fifth Avenue where she received several awards, including the Employee of the Month and Master Performer as well as Letters of Appreciation for Dedication to Excellence; after she retired, she became a member of the 9:15 Club, a club for retirees of Saks who obtain special privileges from the company; and

WHEREAS, A staunch union member, Charlie Mae Snowden served as an officer in the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (R.W.D.S.U.) of the AFL-CIO Local 291; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Mae Snowden enjoyed visiting with friends and tirelessly serving her church; she delighted in watching her children raise families of their own and thoroughly loved having her nine grandchildren over for weekend visits and attending their sporting events, recitals, school programs, graduations, and weddings; she loved to dance, listen to James Brown, watch NBA Basketball, and eat sweets; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Mae Snowden was preceded in death by her daughter, JoAnn; daughter-in-law, Angela, grandson-in-law, Darryl, and her great-grandson, Roderick; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Mae Snowden is survived by her devoted children, John Jr. (Annie Mae), Gertrude, Charles, and Lawrence; her grandchildren, April, Darrin (Tyra), Kitwana, Nathalie (Michael), Tahirah, John III "John-John", Sylvia, Lydia (Royce), and Charles II; her great-grandchildren, Robert, Brandon (Maddy), Julian, Kameela, Kaliah, Nayla, Darryl Jr. "DJ", Nyla, Tyla, Mason, and Harrison; her great-great-grandchildren, Kevin, Kev'ron, and Riley; her nieces and nephews; and her friends; 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 Charlie Mae Brown Snowden 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 Charlie Mae Snowden as an expression of our deepest sympathy.