SR1152 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1152 LRB096 24769 GRL 44863 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Alene O. Fleming; and

WHEREAS, Alene Fleming was born on August 7, 1907, in Bolivar County, Mississippi; her parents were Ned and Lela Fleming; she married Clarence Rochon on September 22, 1926; and

WHEREAS, Alene Fleming attended First Baptist Church in Renova, Mississippi, where her godfather, Monroe Williams, was a founding member; at the age of 12, she was baptized; she was fond of saying she had been serving the Lord for 91 years; she was also known for her beautiful soprano voice and was a soloist throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, Alene Fleming attended school in a one-room schoolhouse in Renova, Mississippi; she attended high school at Tuskegee, where she studied nursing and proudly served Dr. George Washington Carver his breakfast each morning; and

WHEREAS, In 1925, Alene Fleming moved to Chicago, where she held various jobs; during World War II, she worked at a defense plant, where she worked as a seamstress, specializing in making military uniforms; in 1957, she moved to Robbins and joined St. John Community Church under the leadership of Reverend Charles Fuller; she was a soloist in the Senior Choir, a member of the August Birthday Club, and an active participant in the Willing Workers Club at St. John; and

WHEREAS, In the 1960's, Alene Fleming returned to school, where she completed her Child Development Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College; she subsequently retired from Robbins Head Start in the mid 1970s; and

WHEREAS, In 1981, Alene Fleming relocated to The Woodlands, Texas to help with the rearing of her grandsons, Doyle and Darren; while in the Woodlands, she was a member of St. Paul's Baptist Church of the Woodlands; in 1997, she returned to Robbins, where she resided until her death; upon returning to Robbins, she renewed her membership at St. John Community Church; and

WHEREAS, Alene Fleming was active in community service activities; she was involved in local politics, the Robbins Celebration League, and the PTA; she served wherever she was needed and always with a smile; her great dinners and excellent baking will be remembered fondly by many; and

WHEREAS, Alene Fleming was preceded in death by her son, Walter Collins (Floree); her siblings, Richard, Bessie, Ned, James, Perry, John Henry, Bertha, Ruth, Geraldine, and Carl; her granddaughter, Gwendolyn Boston; and her grandson, Mckinley "Mack" Collins; and

WHEREAS, Alene Fleming is survived by her sisters, Bernice Lee and Lyree Roberson (King); her sisters-in-law, Irma Fleming (James) and Lillian Fleming (Carl); her children, Harold Douglas Fleming (Jane) and Ava Blocker; her grandchildren, Walter Collins, Jr. (Gladys), Maurice Collins (Vivian), Ralph Collins, Rose Ikpelue (Mike), Melvin Collins, Anthony Collins (Joyce), Martin Amos (Angela), Erick Fleming, Derrick Fleming, Chantal Fleming, Joshua Fleming, Doyle Fleming (Rhoda), and Darren Fleming; her 39 great-grandchildren; her 33 great-great-grandchildren; her 1 great-great-great-grandchild; and her many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; 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 Alene O. Fleming; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Alene Fleming as an expression of our sympathy.