SR1014 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1014 LRB097 23558 MST 72575 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Charles Eugene Watson of Chicago, who passed away on November 23, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Watson was born in Halls, Tennessee, on May 16, 1932, to Joseph Lewis and Mary Ella (nee Roundtree) Watson; he graduated from Lauderdale County High School in Halls and Tennessee State University, where he received a bachelor of science degree and performed post-graduate work; he served in the U.S. Army-Special Services Division and received his doctor of dental surgery degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1961; he married Eloys L. Williams, and they had 3 children: Carla, Cheryl, and Charles Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Watson relocated to the south side of Chicago to begin his dental practice; he practiced dentistry until 1996, at times the practice was a family affair with his daughters, Cheryl and Carla; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Watson was very active in social causes, politics, and dental organizations; he participated in downtown lunch counter sit-ins in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as the March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he worked with lawmakers to create legislation to improve patient care and the practice of dentistry, and he took part in campaigns for people such as State Comptroller Roland Burris, State Senator Kwame Raoul, and President Barack Obama; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Watson was active with the Lincoln Dental Society (President), the Kenwood Hyde Park Dental Society (President), The Progressive Club, the Chicago Dental Society, the Illinois State Dental Society (Legislative Committee), the American Dental Association (State Representative to the American Dental Political Action Committee), and the National Dental Association; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Watson was devoted to his family and friends; he took them on extended and frequent vacations to 40 different states and Canada; he traveled to Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Watson is survived by his wife of 8 years, Sallie; his sisters, Dr. L. Marilyn Watson and Dr. Marian L. Watson; his brother, retired Cook County Deputy Commissioner, Alfred E. Watson (Naomi); his children, Carla D. Watson, Dr. Cheryl D. Watson-Lowry (William A. Lowry Sr., Esq.), and Charles E. Watson, Jr.; his step-daughter, Anitra Elmore (Darold); his grandchildren, Taylor E. and Joshua E. Mason (Carla), William A., Evan J., and Clarke E. Lowry (Cheryl), Annah and Donovan Elmore (Anitra); his five sisters-in-law; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews, and his dedicated care-giver, Johkim Jones; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Charles Watson, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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