SR1729 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1729 LRB099 21321 GRL 47069 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Pearlie Beatrice Dexter Singleton, who passed away on March 21, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton was born on November 19, 1930 in Tallulah, Louisiana; her parents were Willie and Georgia Dexter; she married Isaac Singleton on September 12, 1947; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton stood at her husband's side as he served as pastor at three churches, which included Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet, for nearly 50 years; she also stood with him as he fought injustices for all people throughout the country; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton started the first GED classes at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and held the first graduation ceremony at the church; she started the church's mission ministry and women's ministry and implemented the first ministers wives ministry at Mt. Zion, which grew to involve and include ministers' wives throughout the entire State; she was also a renowned singer and a Deaconess at the church; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Dr. Pearlie Singleton began working at Joliet Junior College as a counselor in Adult Education; she retired after 25 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Known for speaking and teaching internationally as well as locally, Dr. Pearlie Singleton had a genuine concern for women as she dedicated her life to helping women to advance in the Kingdom; she was the founder and chairperson of the Midwest Christian Women's Conference, reaching out to women around the world encouraging and motivating them to find their purpose in life and live it according to God's will; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton served as President of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Women's Auxiliary for 13 years; under her leadership, a retreat was born and later named in her honor; she was president of Church Women United of Joliet for seven years and president of the Lebanon District Association Women's Auxiliary for three terms; she was a member of the National Hook-up of Black Woman Inc.; she also served on the board of directors of the Women's Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention for ten years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Theology on August 17, 2013 for her work in the ministry; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton served her community in many capacities and received numerous awards and recognitions from many civic organizations; she served on the Board of Directors of the Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center of Will and Grundy Counties and the JJC Foundation Board; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Dr. Isaac Singleton, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearlie Singleton is survived by her children, Gloria Singleton-Hayes, Isaac Singleton, Jr., Barbara (Pastor Alvin) Edwards, Pastor Charles (Charlyn) Singleton, Valerie Jean Singleton, and Willie (Ladonna) Singleton; her 19 grandchildren; her 19 great-grandchildren; her two great-great-grandchildren; and her many other relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of Dr. Pearlie Beatrice Dexter Singleton; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Pearlie Singleton as an expression of our sympathy.