HR0557 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0557 LRB103 37747 ECR 67875 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Marcia Yvonne Lewis, who passed away on January 3, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis was born Leona Oliver on August 16, 1946; she didn't know her parents or the place she was born, as her first foster parents changed her name soon after birth; as a young girl, she was adopted by Elmore and Otha Miles, an Army couple, and they welcomed her into a loving family with four siblings, Anthony, Denise, the late Timothy, and Regina; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis traveled the world with the Miles family; while they were stationed in Germany, her mother died, and the family returned to the United States; she was 15 years old, and although her father decided to return to Germany, she stayed behind in Chicago to live with her father's sister, Princetta; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis moved to California, and she had her first child, Rosslyn, in 1964; she returned to Chicago and gave birth to her second child, Jonathon Sr. in 1966; and

WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Marcia Lewis met and married Phil Lewis, a WW II veteran and jitney driver, who became a beacon of stability for her and her children until his death in 1982; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis eventually moved to Peoria, and in the early 1990s, she began taking in foster children, four of whom she adopted; she cultivated loving spaces for her adopted children, her biological children, and her many grandchildren; her home was filled with her beautiful crafts, her son Jonathon's art, and, at Christmas time, her festive holiday decorations; and

WHEREAS, In her later years, Marcia Lewis developed a loving community of close friends and neighbors at the Grand Regency of Peoria, where she enjoyed good food, Grand Regency gossip, and people watching at the facility's long winding entrance; she was an abiding, listening ear during chats with her sister, Denise, who called daily; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis was preceded in death by her husband and her son, Chauncie; and

WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis is survived by her children, Jonathon Romain Sr. (Nikki), Rosslyn, Curtis, Lacretia, and Ladarius; her special children, Teonna Ware and Eric Edwards; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Marcia Yvonne Lewis 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 Marcia Lewis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.