SR0716 LRB095 21449 GRL 50893 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Fern O. Watts of East St. Louis, who
4 passed away on April 27, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts was born on August 4, 1924 in
6 Natchitoches, Louisiana; she was the youngest of three
7 daughters to Jessie and Mary Shannon; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana
9 until her junior year in high school, when she moved to Hot
10 Springs, Arkansas; she worked as a florist and in a dress-shop
11 while attending high school; she also volunteered at the high
12 school, where she washed blackboards, swept floors, and
13 assisted with other custodial work; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts received her formal education in the
15 Louisiana and Arkansas Public School System; she continued her
16 education in East St. Louis at State Community College and
17 Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts moved to East St. Louis in the early
19 1940s, where she met her soul mate Leroy "Chops" Watts, Sr.,
20 marrying him in 1945; in addition to raising their only child,
21 Janice, they assisted with the upbringing of his three sons

 

 

SR0716 - 2 - LRB095 21449 GRL 50893 r

1 from a previous marriage; Fern and Leroy eventually became
2 members of the Mt. Parin Baptist Church, which would later be
3 known as Mt. Paron for more than 60 years; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts' work history includes employers
5 such as Walgreen's and the City of East St. Louis, where she
6 served in positions including Model Cities, the Community
7 Development Department, the Economic Development Department,
8 and the Real Estate Division; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts was a community leader and activist,
10 working tirelessly for the citizens of East St. Louis; her
11 accomplishments and participation with various organizations
12 spanned over a 30 year period; she was the recipient of the
13 Kimmel Community Service Award in 2001 in the environmental and
14 civic betterment category in recognition of her work; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts was involved in many civic
16 organizations; she was a member of Solutia's Community Advisory
17 Panel, the New Mississippi River Bridge Project Community
18 Involvement Group, and the University of Illinois Urban
19 Planning Group; she was the president and creator of the South
20 End New Development Organization (SENDO); she was a Past
21 President of the Metro East Toastmasters Club #2878; in January
22 of 2007, she was honored as Citizen of the Month by the City of
23 East St. Louis; and
 

 

 

SR0716 - 3 - LRB095 21449 GRL 50893 r

1     WHEREAS, Despite her numerous other commitments, Fern O.
2 Watts took the time to read to students at one of the local
3 elementary schools once a week; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts was preceded in death by her
5 parents; her husband; and her sisters, Willis Lewis and Opal M.
6 Jackson; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Fern O. Watts is survived by her daughter, Janice
8 R. Watts; her godson, Reverend Anthony D. Vinson, Sr.; her
9 special nephew and niece, Phillip Lewis and Deloris Benjamin;
10 her 11 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and 13
11 great-great grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Derender L.
12 Watts; her brother-in-law, Ralph T. (Betty) Eubanks; and a host
13 of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be
14 it
 
15     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
16 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
17 her family and friends, the passing of Fern O. Watts; and be it
18 further
 
19     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20 presented to the family of Fern O. Watts as an expression of
21 our sympathy.