SR0251 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0251 LRB103 32021 MST 60903 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Odessa Hartley McReynolds, who passed away on December 25, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Odessa McReynolds was born in Addicks, Texas to Pearl (Roquemore) and Daniel Hartley on November 20, 1924; she grew up on her family's farm in southeast Texas surrounded by her immediate and extended family and pets, including a dog known affectionately as Such; she was raised in Damascus Missionary Baptist Church in Houston and spent much of her adolescence under the care of her aunt, Ella; she graduated from Jack Yates High School; and

WHEREAS, Odessa McReynolds moved to Chicago in 1942 at the age of 17 and became a member of Union Evangelistic Baptist Church in Chicago Heights; and

WHEREAS, Odessa McReynolds married Marshall Berry McReynolds on September 24, 1944, and they raised their family in East Chicago Heights (now Ford Heights) before moving to Markham; and

WHEREAS, Odessa McReynolds held a variety of jobs throughout her life; she retired from being a certified nursing assistant at Windmill Nursing Pavilion in South Holland; she always maintained, however, that her primary and most important occupation was being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and

WHEREAS, Odessa McReynolds was a faithful member of her children's schools' parent-teacher associations, serving in the roles of vice president and president in both Ford Heights and Midlothian; she was deeply committed to her children's formal education; and

WHEREAS, Odessa McReynolds joined Portland Street Church of God in Christ at the age of 23, where she remained a dedicated member for nearly eight decades; she was active with the Sunday school, teaching vacation Bible school and junior and adult Sunday school; ultimately, she served in the position of adult Sunday school assistant superintendent; she was also a well-respected member of the Mother's Board, holding the position of head church mother; and

WHEREAS, Odessa McReynolds was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall; her parents; her grandparents, Sam and Lizzie Roquemore; her aunt, Ella Roquemore Walls; her daughter, Mardine; her grandsons, Larry and Khal; and other close relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, Odessa McReynolds is survived by her children, Marshall, James (LaQuetia), Janis, Myron (Nancy), and Bettie; her grandchildren, Marcya, Dina, Terence, Marquis, Jonathan, Sydney, Chaz, Caroline, and Julia; her great-grandchildren, Jalen, Khylah, Khalil, Angel, Alexis, Zachariah, Marquis Jr., and Manuel; her cousins, Bettye Jo Taylor and Ava Stewart; and numerous other dear family members and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Odessa Hartley McReynolds 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 Odessa McReynolds as an expression of our deepest sympathy.