HR0641 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0641 LRB093 20267 KEF 46197 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Eleanor Wilson Travis on January 16, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Eleanor Wilson Travis was affectionately known as "Mommie"; she was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi on June 6, 1914, to the union of the late Rev. Daniel Wilson Sr. and the late Clara Clay Wilson; and

WHEREAS, She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age; she married Ellis Travis Sr. and to this great union eight children were born; the two were married for over forty years; her husband preceded her in death; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Travis believed in education and hard work; she has a passion for style; she began with earning a beauticians license from Lydia Adams School of Beauty Cultural; she owned a beauty school and deli at Wilshire Apartments and The Press Club Lounge near the Defender Newpaper in Chicago; she was also one of the first black women to own a lounge, which was 808 Liquors; for 20 years, her last business venture was Jason's New and Used Resale Furniture Store in Chatham where she assisted many families in obtaining affordable furniture; her last work venture lasted over a span of twenty years as a member of "God's Victorious Army" under the leadership of Rev. Morris Cerello; in April of 2002, she earned the title of Elder; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Eleanor Wilson Travis will be deeply felt by many, especially her sons, Earl (Linda) Travis, Ellis (Earlean) Travis, Jr., Thomas James (Carol) Travis, Curtis Alvin Travis; her daughters, Geraldine (Wilbert) Hooten, Viralyn Renee McClendon, Rita (Reginald) Marion; her sisters, Ida Wilson and Ella Dumas; her 26 grandchildren; her 38 great-grandchildren; her 17 great-great-grandchildren; her dear friend, Ida Rivers; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives; and other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Alma Jean Harrell; her granddaughter, Lavonne Travis; her brothers, Daniel and Solomon Wilson; and her sisters, Rebecca Banks, Ellen Hodges, Mae Pearl Caulden, and Zenobia Wilson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Eleanor Wilson Travis along with all who knew and loved her and extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Eleanor Wilson Travis as an expression of our respect and esteem.