SR0163 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0163 LRB096 12093 KXB 24178 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Johnnie Mae Strickland, who passed away on March 17, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Johnnie Mae Strickland, the eldest of five children, was born in DeKalb, Mississippi, on June 30, 1914, to the union of Westley and Ella (Scott) McCaskill; the family moved to East St. Louis in 1927; and

WHEREAS, She attended schools in Meridian, Mississippi and East St. Louis; in East St. Louis, the family worshipped at Wesley Methodist Church; Johnnie married Roy Mason in 1935 and together they celebrated the births of four daughters, Audrey, Marian, Barbara and Beatrice; this marriage ended and Johnnie later met and married Lamar Strickland in 1964; the couple moved from Chicago to Detroit, Michigan where they enjoyed all of the blessings God intended for the marriage relationship until Lamar's passing; Johnnie was employed by the Detroit Public School System as a Teacher's Aide and Food Service Assistant; and

WHEREAS, Johnnie was affectionately called 'Johnnie Ma' by her grandchildren and their offspring or Gretchen, a name given to her by her youngest daughter Bea; in Detroit, Johnnie was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church where she faithfully participated in Bible classes, Sunday school, and church camp activities; five years ago, Johnnie moved to Chicago to live with Bea, where they both shared their love of the Lord and worshipped at Salem Baptist Church of Chicago; Johnnie's greatest joy was reading scripture and being active in the church; learning was a life-long endeavor and she sought to model that virtue to her family and friends when, at the age of 78, she received her G.E.D; and

WHEREAS, As a young mother, Johnnie loved to sew and delighted in making outfits for her daughters; in later years she was eternally famous within the family for her "bone-ware", items such as necklaces and vases fashioned from left-over meal bones; this beloved child of God found strength and comfort in music, especially the hymns "In the Garden" and "My Hope is Built" which were among her favorites; she would often be found offering expressions of thanksgiving to her God for the many blessings bestowed upon her; her journey with the Lord was important to her and to keep others encouraged, Johnnie would often present Bibles as gifts for graduations, weddings, and other momentous occasions; and

WHEREAS, Her daughter, Barbara Behm, preceded her in death; and

WHEREAS, Johnnie's life was well-lived and she will be missed; she leaves to cherish her precious memory three daughters, Audrey (Howard) Brookins, Marian Jackson, and Bea Sockwell; she also leaves thirteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Willie Campbell, Sr.; a sister-in-law, Artia Mason; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will continue as a living legacy to Johnnie Mae; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Johnnie Mae Strickland; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Johnnie Mae Strickland as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.