HR0232LRB098 11666 MST 44200 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to recognize Mayetta
Epps Miller as 
4the oldest living resident in the State of Illinois as of 
5January 2012; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was the oldest of 6 children, 
7born on April 15, 1901, to Tom and Melissa
White in Lewisville, 
8Arkansas; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was educated in Lewisville, 
10Arkansas, and received training at Philander Smith College in 
11Little Rock,
Arkansas, where she became a teacher and taught in 
12Arkansas for several years, sharing her love for
learning; and
 
13    WHEREAS, In 1923, Mayetta Epps Miller married Travis Morris 
14Epps; they relocated to East St. Louis
and were married for 48 
15years until his death in 1972; to this union 5 children were 
16born and 4 children preceded her in death; she is survived by 
17one loving and devoted son, James Levoid Epps Sr.; and
 
18    WHEREAS, In 1976, Mayetta Epps Miller was remarried to 
19Cliff Miller; he preceded her in death in 1994 after 18
years 
20of marriage; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was a devoted member of the 
2Mt. Zion Baptist Church in East St. Louis for over 88 years and 
3was
recognized for service and longevity as the oldest member 
4in term of years of service and age; she was
active with the 
5Jennie Thomas Missionary Task Force and an active Senior Usher 
6for more than 50 years; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was also very active in her 
8community where she served as secretary for the American
Legion 
9Women's Auxiliary and was a member of the Willing Worker's 
10Social Club for many years; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller celebrated her 100th birthday 
12on April 15, 2001, and April 15, 2011, was her 110th
birthday;  
13East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks designated the day as "Mayetta 
14Epps Miller Day" in East St.
Louis; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, On April 13, 2012, Mayetta Epps Miller's 111th 
16birthday, she was recognized on NBC's Today Show by Willard

17Scott's "Smuckers" on air birthday acknowledgements; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was listed on the internet as 
19a Living Super-centenarian in the United States and on

20Wikipedia as the 14th oldest living American as of January 2012 
21and the oldest living resident in the
State of Illinois; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was featured in numerous 
2articles in the Alton Telegraph, Belleville News Democrat, East

3St. Louis Monitor, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspapers; 
4and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was a dedicated home-maker, 
6wife, grandmother, beautician, counselor,
financial planner, 
7and a phenomenal lady of wisdom, who was alert and had a 
8remarkable memory and
legible handwriting until her death on 
9December 31, 2012; therefore, be it
  
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
11NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
12we recognize Mayetta Epps Miller as the oldest living resident 
13in the State of Illinois as of January 2012; and be it further
  
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15presented to the family of Mayetta Epps Miller as an expression 
16of our esteem and respect.