SR1159 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1159 LRB101 21331 ECR 71949 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Alma Bernadine Taylor Jones of Woodbridge, Virginia, who passed away on April 27, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Alma Jones was born to John Henry and Pearl Matthews Taylor in Crenshaw, Mississippi on September 12, 1924; she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee; she also completed considerable postgraduate studies; Alma married Perkins S. Jones Sr. of Rose Hill, Mississippi, and they had two children together; and

WHEREAS, Alma Jones enjoyed teaching and was an educator for more than 40 years; she taught in the public schools of Cumberland, Maryland and as a demonstration teacher in the laboratory schools of the Tuskegee Institute and at Alcorn A&M College; she spent more than 20 years as a teacher and reading specialist at Washington Middle School in Springfield; Alma also served two terms as a commissioner of the Education Council; and

WHEREAS, After retirement, Alma Jones enjoyed helping others; she volunteered as a literacy tutor at Lawrence Education Center, a St. Johns Hospital Interfaith Caregiver, an A.A.R.P. Lobbyist; an S.I.U. School of Medicine Geriatric Mentor and a Literacy Tutor in Woodbridge, Virginia and for Meals on Wheels; and

WHEREAS, Alma Jones was a member of Zion Baptist Church prior to relocating to Woodbridge where she united with First Mt. Zion Baptist Church; she was a life member of the N.A.A.C.P. and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Alma was a founding member of the Springfield chapters of the United Negro College Fund and the A.K.A. Sorority; she was also a member of the Springfield Urban League; and

WHEREAS, Alma Jones was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her two sisters; and her three brothers; and

WHEREAS, Alma Jones is survived by her daughter, Dr. Linda F. Jones-Turner (C.A.); her son, Dr. Perkins S. Jones Jr. (Sheila); her step-granddaughter, Kelisha Turner-Taylor (William); her two great-grandchildren, Amarria and Liam; her nieces, Marva Taylor Salaam and Cecilia Taylor; her nephews, Byron P. Taylor (Georgia), Kermit B. Taylor (Joyce), and Kermit J. Taylor (Bernestine); and her several great nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished 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 Alma Bernadine Taylor Jones 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 Alma Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.