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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Bettye Pearl Jakes-Russ, who passed away 
4on February 11, 2013; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was born on April 29, 1926, in 
6Minter City, Mississippi, to Robert and Sarah Knox, the seventh 
7of eight children; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ confessed hope in Christ at an 
9early age; she was a faithful member of the Macedonia 
10Missionary Baptist Church in Oneida, Arkansas, where she served 
11on the usher's and mothers boards as a Sunday school teacher, 
12church secretary, choir member, pastor's aide, and the 
13president of the mission department; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ moved to Chicago and became a 
15member of First Baptist Church under the leadership of the 
16Reverend George Daniels; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was a cherished friend of 
18everyone she met throughout her life; she earned the title 
19"politician's mom of the 37th ward of Chicago"; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ enjoyed fishing, making 
 
 
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1jewelry, and working on her puzzle books; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was a devoted mother and was 
3known for enjoying spending time with her family and sharing 
4love in every aspect of her life; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ as a truly exemplary human 
6being; she will always be remembered for her dedication to 
7serve others and for her inspiration, strength of character, 
8courage, generosity, and caring for her family and friends; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was preceded in death by her 
10parents; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ is survived by her children, 
12Excell Brown, Lacy Flemings, Jeanette Sidney, Eartis Jakes, 
13Mary Jackson, Minnie Jakes, Percy Jakes Jr., Bettye Pulphus, 
14Jessie Jakes, Alderman Emma Mitts, Lueathel Seawood, Sheryl 
15French; her sisters-in-law, Catherine Young, Cora Lee 
16Swanigan, and Sara Knox; her 54 grandchildren; her 102 
17great-grandchildren; her 26 great-great grandchildren; her 
18Godson, Reverend Clifford Williams; and a host of nieces, 
19nephews, and other relatives and friends; therefore, be it
  
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL 
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
 
 
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1Bettye Jakes-Russ, and we extend our sincere condolences to her 
2family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
3further
  
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
5presented to the family of Bettye Jakes-Russ as an expression 
6of our deepest sympathy.