HR0493 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0493 LRB097 12850 GRL 57348 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, State Representative Monique D. Davis and the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of DeLois Barrett Campbell, who passed away on August 2, 2011; and

WHEREAS, DeLois Barrett Campbell was born in Chicago in 1926; she grew up on the South Side with famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and composer Thomas A. Dorsey as neighbors; her father also served as a deacon at a local church and their mother sang in the chorus, which reinforced her great love of gospel music; and

WHEREAS, DeLois Barrett Campbell was a founding member of the Barrett Sisters, Chicago's legendary gospel trio; the Barrett Sisters began singing and harmonizing gospel music during the 1940s in a religious family of 10 children on the South Side of Chicago; upon the death of their cousin, Jonnie Mae Hudson, sister Rodessa Porter joined the trio, creating the Barrett Sisters; the group's growing reputation earned them a recording debut in 1963, with the album "Jesus Loves Me"; the group subsequently attained international attention for their work in the acclaimed 1982 documentary "Say Amen, Somebody", which yielded appearances on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" and more than 50 world tours; and

WHEREAS, DeLois Barrett Campbell was preceded in death by her husband, the Reverend Frank Campbell; and

WHEREAS, DeLois Barrett Campbell is survived by her sister, Billie Barrett GreenBey; her daughters, Sue Ladd and Mary Campbell; and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of DeLois Barrett Campbell; and be it further

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