SR1277LRB102 29426 LAW 41422 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Gertie Lee Bell of Chicago, who passed 
4away on October 22, 2022; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Gertie Bell was born to Major Dunn Sr. and Helena 
6(Jones) Dunn in Lake Providence, Louisiana on June 23, 1927; 
7she was the youngest of 10 children; she lived in New Orleans, 
8Louisiana and Omaha, Nebraska before moving to Chicago in the 
9early 1950s; she married Eugene Bell Sr., and they had two 
10sons, Eugene Jr. and Michael D.; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Gertie Bell worked as an assistant director and 
12director of Financial Aid at Roosevelt University and Chicago 
13State University, both located in Chicago; she was one of a 
14handful of founding members of Governors State University, 
15located in University Park, a south suburb of Chicago; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Gertie Bell also served as a teacher for the 
17Chicago Board of Education for more than 30 years; during her 
18tenure, she assisted thousands of students, ranging from the 
19elementary school level to the college level; from assisting 
20them in receiving financial aid for college courses to 
21teaching them in direct classroom instruction, she cared for 
22and was available for every student; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Gertie Bell committed to her faith at an early 
2age and was baptized in Lake Providence, Louisiana; she was a 
3member of Greater Walters A.M.E. Zion Church of Chicago at the 
4time of her passing; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Gertie Bell was preceded in death by her parents; 
6her five brothers and four sisters; her husband; and her son, 
7Michael D. Bell; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Gertie Bell is survived by her son, Eugene 
9(Dorothy) Bell Jr.; her grandchildren, Eugene (Whitney) Bell 
10III, Christopher Bell, and Jennifer (Jason) Shealy; her 
11great-grandchildren, Noah Bell, Jillian Shealy, Isaiah Bell, 
12and Jeremiah Shealy; her nieces, Mildred, Cothene, and Sharon; 
13her nephew, James; and a host of other relatives and friends; 
14therefore, be it
  
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL 
16ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
17Gertie Lee Bell and extend our sincere condolences to her 
18family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
19further
  
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
21presented to the family of Gertie Bell as an expression of our 
 
 
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1deepest sympathy.