SR0876 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0876 LRB103 39561 MST 69808 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ann Etter Jones, who passed away on February 9, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Ann Jones was born in Cairo to Georgia A. Jones and Prince Ivy Sr.; she attended Cairo High School; she earned an Associate of Applied Science, a degree in Mid-Management, and an Associate of Arts in Social/Human Support Services from Shawnee Community College, where she graduated with honors and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa; she continued her education in social work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale; and

WHEREAS, Ann Jones was employed by the Shawnee Development Council, the Burkart Manufacturing Company, and Proctor & Gamble (P&G); and

WHEREAS, Ann Jones was passionate about working with children at Lutheran Social Services, which inspired her to become a founding member of Responsible Empowering Action-Oriented Parents (R.E.A.P.), and her legacy will live on through the Ann E. Jones H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Pursue Excellence) Memorial Scholarship; and

WHEREAS, Ann Jones committed to her faith at an early age, and she taught adult and youth Sunday school at Martin Temple C.M.E. Church in Cairo for over 10 years; she was known for her exceptional culinary skills, and her signature dishes were requested by family, friends, and co-workers on a regular basis; and

WHEREAS, Ann Jones was affectionately known as "Big Ann"; she was a hardworking, dedicated single mother who taught her six children the importance of respect and discipline, providing them with the foundation they needed to prepare for life; and

WHEREAS, Ann Jones was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Richard Jones, Clifton Jones, Hawkins "Dewey" Jones, James Ivy, Melvin Ivy, Thomas Ivy, Matthew Ivy, and Joseph Ivy; and her sisters, Deborah Ivy-O'Banion and Mary "Anne" Ivy-Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Ann Jones is survived by her children, Angela Means, Ann "Lil Ann" Jones, Alissa Jones, Stacey (Konan) Kouakou, Anita (Luru) Berry, and Harley Dean Fowler Jr.; her sisters, Helen Jones-Oliver, Delores Ivy-Hunt, Shirley Jordan, Velma Ivy-Brown, and Cheryl (Darryl) Houston; her brother, Robert Jones; a very special person she thought of as a daughter, De'Keta McAllister; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, 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 Ann Etter 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 Ann Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.