SR1070 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1070 LRB101 20946 ECR 70955 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the passing of Nellie Margaret Bixby Anderson of Sparta, who passed away on February 9, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Anderson was born to James and Melissa (Lissie) Bixby in Sparta on October 16, 1928; she attended Vernon Grade School in Sparta and graduated from DuSalvo High School in Chicago; she married Melvin James Anderson on December 14, 1946; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Anderson worked as a substitute teacher at Vernon Grade School and was the first Black History teacher at the Sparta High School; she also worked at the Sparta Neighborhood Center as a day care teacher for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Anderson was very active in the Civil Rights Movement and was a dominant civil rights activist in the city of Sparta; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Anderson was deeply committed to her faith; she loved her church, Sparta Church of the Nazarene, where she taught Sunday School; she was devoted to taking care of her husband and raising her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Anderson was preceded in death by her mother and father, Melissa (Lissie) and James Bixby; her little brother, James Bixby Jr.; and her step-father, Eddie B. Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Anderson is survived by her loving husband of 73 years, Melvin J. Anderson Sr.; her nine children, Althea (Burr) Deming, Charlotte (Keith) Lukes, Denise Anderson, Melvin J. Anderson Jr., John Mark Anderson, Craig (Onetisha) Anderson, Heather Anderson, Michael Anderson, and Christopher (Haliegh) Anderson; her 21 grandchildren, her 19 great-grandchildren; her 4 great-great-grandchildren, her special sister, Ruth Ann Small; her two sisters-in-law, Bessie Selmon and Luvenia Nance; her two brothers-in law, Frank Anderson and Michael Anderson; her aunt, Bernice Collins; her nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her very dear 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 Nellie Margaret Bixby Anderson 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 Margaret Anderson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.