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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 Eula B.
4Conyears, who passed away on January 3, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Eula Conyears was born in Marianna, Arkansas to
6Pastor Silas and Everlina Rupert on January 28, 1949; she
7attended Brickeys Junior High School and Anna Strong High
8School in Marianna, Arkansas; she married James Henry Conyears
9Jr. in Brickeys, Arkansas in 1964, and he preceded her in
10death; together, they moved to Chicago in August 1964; she
11earned a license in cosmetology from Kennedy King College, an
12associate's degree from Wright College, and a bachelor's degree
13from Northeastern Illinois University; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Eula Conyears worked at Kerr Glass Company from
151970 to 1994; while there, she was actively involved with the
16United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of America Union
17(UE), where she served as a union trustee from 1988 to 1990 and
18union steward from 1990 to 1994; after the abrupt relocation of
19Kerr Glass Company to another state in 1995, she worked at the
20family business, Rupert's Restaurant; she then worked in the
21Accounting Department of FedEx from 1995 to 2010; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Eula Conyears committed to her faith at an early

 

 

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1age; she was baptized under the leadership of her father at
2Shady Grove Baptist Church in Marianna, Arkansas; she later
3joined the Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Chicago, where she
4served as a member of the Usher Board, the president of the
5Gospel Chorus, and a member of the mid-day bible class; she was
6known to be one of the top fundraisers for the church; she was
7crowned Mrs. Mt. Vernon during the 1990s; she coordinated many
8of the church's various trips, which included destinations as
9close as Arcola and as far as Hot Springs, Arkansas and Hawaii;
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, Eula Conyears was known as a bible scholar, prayer
12warrior, and confidante; she loved her family; she became the
13coordinator of the annual Rupert family reunion in 2003; she
14was the family road driver, driving cross country for up to 20
15hours; during her retirement, she enjoyed going to lunch and
16watching movies with friends; she was supportive of everyone,
17and her presence was often seen on Facebook while providing
18encouragement to preachers, family, and friends; she will be
19missed; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Eula Conyears was preceded in death by her
21husband, her parents, and her siblings, Edna Mae, Silas Jr.,
22Beatrice, Idella, John, and Willie; and
 
23    WHEREAS, Eula Conyears is survived by her daughters, Lisa

 

 

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1Conyears, Doris Conyears, and Melissa Conyears-Ervin (Jason);
2her grandchildren, Shaquille Lakeith Cockrell, Shawn Coburn,
3Jr., Shamar Silas Coburn, and Jeneva Claudette Ervin; her
4great-grandchild, Malcolm Messiah Cockrell; her sisters,
5Maggie Williams, Ethel Brooks, Dovie Randle, and Doris Rupert;
6her brother, Clarence (Judy) Rupert; all of her nieces and
7nephews; her very special friends from Kerr Glass Company, Edna
8Weatherspoon and Kathleen Ardson; her prayer partner, John
9Taylor; and her friends; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
11HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
12we mourn the passing of Eula B. Conyears and extend our sincere
13condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
14her; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the family of Eula Conyears as an expression of
17our deepest sympathy.