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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Earlene Ray of Joliet, who passed away on 
4April 30, 2011; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, She was born to the union of Joshua and Rosie 
6Crenshaw of Blytheville, Arkansas, October 25, 1935; she grew 
7up and attended primary and secondary schools in Blytheville, 
8where she was active in her local church and community until 
9her relocation to Joliet in early 1956; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, She was united in Holy Matrimony to William "Bill" 
11Ray, also of Blytheville, in 1955; she remained a loving and 
12faithful wife until his passing  in June of 2002; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, She united in fellowship with All Nations Church 
14of God In Christ in early 1956, where she remained a faithful 
15and active member; during her nearly fifty-five year 
16membership, Mother Earlene Ray cheerfully and diligently 
17served in various capacities of church service and leadership, 
18including her service of forty-one years as Sunday School 
19Superintendent; she took special delight in providing nurture 
20and care to the sick and shut in through her weekly visits to 
21local hospitals and homes, always accompanied by her faithful 
22travelling companion, Mother Sarah Marsh; and she was a proud 
 
 
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1member of the All Nations Mother's Board; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her husband, William; 
3her sisters, Amanda, Annie, and Daisy; and her brothers, 
4George, Cecil, and W.T.; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Earlene Ray is survived by her elder son, Bishop 
6Harold Calvin Ray and her loving daughter-in-law, Brenda Ray; 
7her younger son, Anthony (Tony); her brother, Robert C. (Annie) 
8Crenshaw; her grandchildren, Christopher Calvin and Whitney 
9Nicole; her great-grandchildren, Jahrel, A'Mare, and A'Myah; 
10her devoted neighbors of forty years, Edgar and Gertrude 
11Martin; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, in-laws, and 
12special friends; therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL 
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
15her family and friends, the passing of Earlene Ray; and be it 
16further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
18presented to the family of Earlene Ray as a symbol of our 
19sincere sympathy.