SR0513 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0513 LRB094 15070 AJO 50227 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Burnnette Watson, age 75, of Chicago, on August 28, 2005; and

WHEREAS, She was born on May 9, 1930, in Earl, Arkansas, to Spencer Jones and Eliza Bolton; she had 4 brothers, Floyd, Theodore, Ernest, and Preston; her mom moved them to Chicago when Burnnette was young; she graduated from DuSable High School in 1948; and

WHEREAS, Burnnette was a Certified Nurse's Aide at Mercy Hospital for thirty years in the Pediatric Unit; "Burn", as she was affectionately called, loved the babies and children who were patients; she gave her patients nicknames to soothe them or cheer them; her kindness to patients was well known by Mercy's doctors and nurses; in 1994, she retired from Mercy, but she never forgot the friends with whom she worked; and

WHEREAS, Burnnette gave life to three children, Annetha, Odell, and Nannette; additionally, she reared three sons, Edward, Henry, and Eddy, and helped raise two other sons, Michael and Elkin; Burn's home was big in heart; she always had extra servings at mealtime for family members, her children's friends, or neighborhood children; in addition to Burn's delicious food, the children in her home, whether they were there for a meal, a month, or a lifetime, received a laugh or a giggle, encouraging words, and, if necessary, a dose of Burn's discipline-always firm, but loving; and

WHEREAS, Burnnette's faith was deeply important to her; Burnnette's membership in the Bethel A.M.E. Church lasted almost 60 years before she was called home; at Bethel, her beautiful voice was part of the Annie Laura Stewart Ensemble; and she dutifully served as a steward up to the time of her death; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nannette; her parents; two brothers, Theodore and Ernest; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Burnnette Watson will be felt by all who knew and loved her, especially her son, Odell Jones; her daughter and her husband, Annetha Jones and Edwin McKnight; her seven grandchildren; her sixteen great-grandchildren; and numerous aunts, nieces, nephews, and close friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Burnnette Watson and we extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to her family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.