HR1323 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1323 LRB097 23580 MST 72609 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Annis Toran Smith of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Mary Toran Smith was born on September 13, 1918, in Chicago to Hoseanna L. and Frank B. Toran; she graduated from Carter Elementary School and Englewood High School; she attended Wilson Junior College and Chicago's Washburn Trade School; she married James H.L. Smith, Jr. in 1943; and

WHEREAS, Mary Toran Smith became a member and was baptized at Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church; she was very active in the church and was a member of the Christian Monarchs and the Les Femmes de Service, the auxiliary group for women; and

WHEREAS, Mary Toran Smith worked for a number of local businesses, and enjoyed a vibrant social life, frequenting some of Chicago's heralded music and entertainment venues, including Club De Lisa, The Pershing Hotel, The Grand Ballroom, and the Palm Tavern; she loved dance, travel, and good food and music; and

WHEREAS, Mary Toran Smith began working for the Chicago Police Department in the Data Records Department in 1962 and would be there for 40 years; upon retirement, she was honored with a commendation from President George W. Bush for her distinguished service; and

WHEREAS, Mary Toran Smith took full advantage of what Chicago had to offer, from shopping in the Loop to taking in the sights around the city; her favorite past-times were watching westerns, late-night talk shows, and classic movies; she watched all 4 of her sons get married and become fathers themselves; she loved being a grandmother and being involved in her families' lives; and

WHEREAS, Mary Toran Smith was preceded in death by brothers, Arthur and Edward; her sisters, Ruth and Alzada; her husband, James H.L. Smith; and her sons, Michael W. Smith and Frederick L. Smith; and

WHEREAS, Mary Toran Smith is survived by her sons, Leonard S. Smith and Sidney B. Smith (Joyce); her step-daughter, Sylvia Washington; her grandchildren, Caroline J. Smith, Derrick Dorsey Whitehead, Ayanna Anderson (Wayne), Aisha Madhi (Ahmed), Aliya Brown (Torrey), Noel Johnson, Deen King-Smith, and Marian Toran Smith; and her many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mary Toran Smith, and we extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mary Toran Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.