SR0719 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0719 LRB102 19559 MST 28327 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Marvella "Madea" Alexander Humphrey, who passed away on August 2, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Marvella Humphrey was born to Fred Douglas and Ida Jane Alexander in Marvell, Arkansas on March 24, 1919; a lover of knowledge, she perfected her reading, writing, and various other skills throughout her life, despite receiving only a fourth grade education; she married James Humphrey in 1937; and

WHEREAS, When Marvella Humphrey's children were young, she was a stay-at-home mom; when the children were older, she gained employment pressing clothes at a laundromat; in 1957, the family relocated to Chicago, and she opened her own home daycare; she cared for many children until her retirement in 1994; and

WHEREAS, In 1958, Marvella Humphrey joined Mt. Sinai Baptist Church where she was a choir member; in 1975, she moved her membership to United Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Wilson Daniels; she was an active and faithful member who worked with the clothing ministry, was a member of Sunday School Class #2, served as a missionary who visited the sick and shut-in, served as a member of the Mother's Board, and sang in the choir until she was 101 years old; and

WHEREAS, Anyone who knew Marvella Humphrey knew she loved church and her church family; she loved church so much that she felt the need to be there whenever the church doors were opened; with the assistance of her friends, Pearline Flemings, Earlene Jackson, and Ida Wright, she tried to attend every service, activity, and funeral; and

WHEREAS, Marvella Humphrey was an example of faith, humility, joy, and kindness; she had a generous heart and would give her last to anyone even if she needed it herself; she loved her family and made them her number one priority; family gatherings brought her great joy; she was a natural comedian with a quirky sense of humor and an infectious laugh; she was a forgiving person with a heart of gold; and

WHEREAS, Marvella Humphrey was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Welton, Ertha Lean, Samuel, and Dozie and Naomi, Arlena, Florence, and Maude Ella; her husband; her son, James Jr.; and her two grandchildren, Lydia and Anthony; and

WHEREAS, Marvella Humphrey is survived by her daughters, Margaret, Verlyn, and Katherine (George); her grandson, Marcus (Patricia); her great-grandson, Sean; her eight grandchildren; her twenty-two great-grandchildren; her nineteen great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Dorsey B. Robinson; and a host of relatives, extended family, and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Marvella "Madea" Alexander Humphrey 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 Marvella Humphrey as an expression of our deepest sympathy.