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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 Sleety
4Bournes, who passed away on November 10, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Sleety Bournes was born to Della and Joshua
6Bournes in Oak Vale, Mississippi on February 14, 1935; she
7eventually settled in Chicago; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Sleety Bournes started volunteering at her son
9Stephen's elementary school in 1980, which she continued after
10his graduation in 1985; she was most proud for being named
11Outstanding Schoolhouse Volunteer by the Chicago Public
12Schools in 1985, representing her dedication to volunteering
13at both Crispus Attucks Elementary School and Thomas A.
14Hendricks Elementary School from 1980 to 1987; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Sleety Bournes read her bible every day; she was
16a member of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where
17she was part of the Buzy Bee Club; she later joined Fidelity
18Missionary Baptist Church in 1986, where she served on the
19Usher's Board, the Women's Ministry, and the Mother's Board,
20among other ministries; she looked forward to the annual
21church tea and the state rally, where she was the state captain
22for Mississippi; she later joined the Pleasant Green Baptist

 

 

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1Church in the mid 1990s, where she was active with the Mother's
2Board and the February Group ministries; her true ministry and
3passion was taking care of the sick and the elderly; she loved
4taking care of others and would be the first person to visit
5someone in the hospital; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Sleety Bournes was a true homemaker, keeping an
7immaculately clean house, maintaining a garden, and canning
8vegetables for the winter; she was a good cook and was most
9famous for her baking, especially her lemon glazed pound cake;
10she took joy in growing her summer garden and often shared
11fresh vegetables such as collard greens, peppers, and zucchini
12with her neighbors and the property management office, who all
13looked forward to her zucchini bread; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Sleety Bournes' hobbies included reading, solving
15word searches, thrifting, and watching sports, especially
16tennis; she was an artist, a painter, and even fancied herself
17as an interior decorator; she was also a pretty good barber;
18and
 
19    WHEREAS, Sleety Bournes was known for her stylish dresses
20and sharp hats, and she loved putting on her Sunday best; she
21enjoyed sharing stories of growing up in Mississippi with
22family and friends; she will be dearly missed; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Sleety Bournes was preceded in death by her
2parents; her brothers, John L. Bournes, Leonard Ray Bournes,
3and Arthur Ray; her sisters, Ivory Joe Bournes, Teola Bournes,
4Ruth Thomas, Applessie King, and LeeDora Bournes Simmons; and
5her son, Larry Bournes; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Sleety Bournes is survived by her sons, Selman,
7Ronnie (Angela), Kenneth (Linda), Christopher, Rishard
8(Denise), and Stephen (Deone); her brother, James Melvin
9Bournes; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren,
10nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
12HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13we mourn the passing of Sleety Bournes and extend our sincere
14condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
15her; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Sleety Bournes as an expression of
18our deepest sympathy.