SR0474 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0474 LRB095 15488 GRL 41481 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill, who passed away on December 8, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill was born on May 9, 1919 in Jeanerette, Louisiana; her parents were August and Lilly Gravenberg; and

WHEREAS, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill lived with her older sister, Minola, in a Catholic convent after a pneumonia epidemic took the lives of her parents in 1920; in the early 1920's, she, along with her sister and their older brother Conrad, moved to New Orleans, Louisiana to live with their Aunt Maggie Matthews; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1930's, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill moved to Los Angeles, California with her sister and brother, attending public school while living with Conrad and his wife; she later moved to Pasadena, California with Lillian Piersaul and her husband, where she attended Washington Junior High School and Pasadena High School; and

WHEREAS, While attending school in Pasadena, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill began to receive ballet and vocal training, later attending Pasadena Junior College to further hone her craft; her incredible vocal skills were first showcased at the First A.M.E. Church in Pasadena, where she was often selected to perform solo; during her time at First A.M.E. Church, she met fellow church choir member Walter Worrill, whom she married in September of 1940; their first son, Conrad Walter Worrill, was born to them on August 15, 1941; her passion for helping children led her to a position as a teacher at the Pacific Oaks Nursery School in Pasadena; and

WHEREAS, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill's musical talents reached further heights in 1946, when she had the honor of singing at the wedding of baseball legend Jackie Robinson; in the late 1940's, she became a member of the Pasadena Civic Chorus, performing in major concerts throughout the city with the renowned group; and

WHEREAS, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill assisted her husband in his work with the YMCA Movement during the 1940's; in 1950, the YMCA transferred Walter to Chicago; having difficulties finding suitable housing, the family resided at the YMCA Hotel in Chicago until a kindly waiter, known as Mr. Anthony, allowed the family to lease an apartment he owned at 5640 South Maryland in Chicago; on April 29, 1951, a second son, Oscar William Worrill, was born to Anna Belle and Walter; and

WHEREAS, Once the family was settled into Chicago, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill quickly became involved with the choir at St. Mark's Methodist Church, where she was instrumental in the organization of the church's Handel's Messiah concert, a concert that is still performed by the church today; she also became a member of the Chicago Music Association and became the protege of the late Theodore Charles Stone; and

WHEREAS, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill was made a lifetime member of the National Parent Teacher Association in honor of her participation at the schools her two children attended; she developed an excellent reputation as an aggressive advocate for both her children and school children in general, ensuring that the children received everything that they needed to prosper; she eventually accepted a position as an administrative clerk in the Bursar's Office at the University of Chicago, where she worked faithfully for over 15 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1957, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill and her family purchased a home at 8450 South Prairie in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood; she quickly became well known for her neighborly presence, concern for those in the community, and vociferous support for African-American owned businesses; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, Walter Worrill accepted a new position with the YMCA, leading Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill and her husband to Pennlyn, Pennsylvania; returning to her Catholic faith, Anna Belle attended a local Catholic church in Pennlyn; after their divorce in the late 1970's, Anna Belle remained in Pennlyn and accepted a position at a local nursing home; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill moved back to Chicago in order to be closer to her family and friends; she went on to reside in the Renaissance Senior Citizen Residence in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, where she lived until her unfortunate passing; and

WHEREAS, Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill is survived by her sister, Minola; her sons, Conrad (Talibah) and Oscar (Denise); her former husband, Walter; her grandchildren, Michelle, Femi, Sobenna, Kimberly Aisha, and Gloria Ann; her 8 great-grandchildren; and her many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Anna Belle Gravenberg Worrill as an expression of our sympathy.