SR1118LRB103 41317 MST 74535 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 
3congratulate Ethella Walls on the occasion of her 100th 
4birthday on January 16, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ethella Walls was born in Holly Springs, 
6Mississippi to Robert and Mary Lue Barksdale, the fourth of 
7eight children; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Ethella Walls moved to Chicago in 1946 to pursue 
9career opportunities; she married the love of her life, 
10Lucious Walls, in 1947, and they became parents to 12 
11beautiful children, Mary Ann, Carl, Sharon, Willie, Patricia, 
12Debra, Lucious, Mona, Mina, Charles, Gail, and Cheryl; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Ethella Walls became a grandmother to 21 
14grandchildren, great-grandmother to 18 great-grandchildren, 
15and great-great-grandmother to six great-great-grandchildren; 
16she is affectionately known as "Momma Walls" to several other 
17individuals who she helped raise; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Ethella Walls' legacy is borne from her strong 
19and unrelenting faith; she began her ministerial journey in 
201968 after joining the Antioch Missionary Baptist 
21Church-South, where she serves on the Usher Board, 
 
 
SR1118- 2 -LRB103 41317 MST 74535 r

1participates in the Ruth Circle, and attends mission meetings; 
2she has remained a passionate and devoted member of Antioch 
3since joining; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Ethella Walls is known and loved for her humble 
5heart and giving spirit; living her life by her favorite 
6scripture, Proverbs 3:56, she has demonstrated in countless 
7ways her dedication to others and has earned the respect and 
8adoration of people from all walks of life and all ages; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Ethella Walls' contributions to the State of 
10Illinois are deserving of recognition and celebration; 
11therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate 
14Ethella Walls on her 100th birthday and wish her many more 
15wonderful years; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to Ethella Walls as an expression of our esteem and 
18respect.