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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Mary
4Louise Lacey of Waukegan, who passed away on February 13, 2019;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey was born in Sherard, Mississippi to
7Elizabeth Campbell and Joseph "Joe" Climons Sr. on March 17,
81938; she grew up with nine siblings, and her parents formed
9the Cradle Roll Singers; she recorded her first song, "If I Can
10Help Somebody" when she was 19 years old; she had many
11accomplishments in the musical arena as a world-renowned gospel
12and recording artist; she moved to Waukegan and traveled
13throughout the United States and Africa singing; at her annual
14concert at Shiloh Baptist Church in Waukegan, she had the honor
15of singing for First Lady Betty Ford; she also found success as
16a hat designer and beautician; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey was an ordained Shepherdess,
18Evangelist, and Pastor; she received her Church of God in
19Christ ordination to minister the Gospel in 1989; she was
20admitted to The American Ministerial Association as an ordained
21minister in 1996; in 1997, she earned a doctorate from Trinity
22Seminary; after that, she organized Mary's Mission & Shelter
23Care; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey assisted many Illinois Foster Program
2children through compassion and empowerment; in 2002, she began
3volunteering at the Lake County Jail, where she gave
4motivational talks to the inmates and would pray with those who
5chose to participate; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Most recently, Dr. Lacey was known for holding an
7annual Christmas parade from her mission to the Lake County
8jail, where she and volunteers would pass out hundreds of toys
9to the children of jail inmates, while also providing hams or
10turkeys to the families; in 2014, she called the parade "Bring
11Joy to the Jail," and she was joined by a coalition of church
12groups, elected officials, police chiefs, and citizens; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Among her significant achievements, Dr. Lacy
14received the 2008 Lake County Civil Rights Hall of Fame Award
15in recognition of service, dedication, and contributions to the
16Civil Rights movement; she was also awarded the Beyond the Call
17of Duty Award by AT&T, the Religious Worker's Guild's
18Humanitarian Award, the Patriot of the Year Award from the Help
19Hospitalized Veterans Association, the People's Most
20Influential African American Award, and the People's Voice
21Health and Human Services Award; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey dedicated over 50 years of service as a

 

 

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1humanitarian and community leader, inspiring others through
2kindness, thoughtfulness, and dedication to her community;
3therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6we mourn the passing of Dr. Mary Louise Lacey and extend our
7sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew
8and loved her; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the family of Dr. Lacey as an expression of our
11deepest sympathy.