SR1284 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1284 LRB098 21682 MST 60534 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Shirley Mae Jackson-Higgins, who passed away on May 24, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Jackson-Higgins was born in Bell City, Missouri on February 3, 1943 to Willie J. and Rosie Lee Jackson; she attended South Mast School and graduated from Bell City High School; she was a member of Missionary Baptist Church in Bell City; she attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and graduated from Triton College in River Grove; she also attended DePaul University; after relocating to Maywood, she was a member of First Baptist Church of Melrose Park; she married Albert on December 31, 1968; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Jackson-Higgins's work history is long and diverse beginning at Miles Square Medical Center of Chicago; after relocating to Maywood, she took the position of Account Administrator at Allied Van Lines; she also served as an assistant to the Illinois State Senate; later, she was employed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners; upon retirement, she served as Commissioner on the Maywood Housing Authority Board of Directors and was a member of The Way Back Inn Organization of Maywood Board of Directors; her most recent position was that of Director of the Maywood Urban Revitalization Corporation; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Jackson-Higgins acquired numerous professional developmental certificates and accolades, including the Operation Uplift Maywood Hometown Achievement Award, the Rosa Parks Heritage Award, and membership in the Northeastern University Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Jackson-Higgins was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Freddie Lee and J.W.; and 5 sisters, Barbara Jean, Jessie B., Virginia, Ruthie Jean, and Deborah Ann; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Jackson-Higgins is survived by her loving husband, Albert; beloved sons, Talbert and Gerald; precious daughters, Angela Shirlene and Verna; beautiful grandchildren, Sydney Raymond and Taylor Gabrielle Rose; siblings, Willie Lee (Helen), Eddie Lee, Jerlean LeSure (Charles, deceased), Earnestine Pullen (Charles, deceased), Carl Lee (Loretta), Daniel Lee (Amelia), and Ceretha Brown (James, deceased); brother-in-law, J.W. Terry; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Shirley Mae Jackson-Higgins, and 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 Shirley Jackson-Higgins as an expression of our deepest sympathy.