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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 Frances
4Louise (nee Cain) Walker, who passed away on April 10, 2014;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Frances Walker was born on June 9, 1929 in Athens,
7Alabama to James Cain and Sallie Mae (nee Sandifer) Cain; she
8attended schools in Alabama and Rockford and married Era Walker
9in 1948; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Frances Walker worked at the former Illinois Bell
11telephone company for 15 years; she was also an independent
12beauty consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics, and worked as a
13medical assistant to Dr. Fonvielle, Dr. Roberts, and Dr.
14Jackson; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Frances Walker was a devoted member of Allen
16Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1949; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Frances Walker was a tireless advocate for youth;
18she mentored, taught, and encouraged hundreds of youth
19throughout her life for a number of faith and community-based
20organizations; she helped sponsor youth for a trip around the
21world; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Frances Walker was well-known for her community
2work with the National Council for Negro Women, assisting in
3local efforts to increase African-American participation in
4the United States Census and voting; she worked diligently in
5helping to coordinate the Annual Black Family Reunion and
6promoted efforts to help women become self-sufficient; she was
7a founding board member of the Hunger Coalition with her
8efforts resulting in raising tens of thousands of dollars to
9help alleviate hunger in Rockford and its vicinity; and
 
10    WHEREAS, The Frances Walker Scholarship Fund has been
11established with the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
12in her honor; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Frances Walker was preceded in death by her
14husband of 61 years, Era Walker; her parents; her sister,
15Lillye (Cain) Saulters; her son, Cyrus Walker; and her
16son-in-law, Robert Cook; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Frances Walker is survived by her children, Otis
18Walker, Ardis (Robert) Cook, and Elizabeth (The Rev. Larry)
19Smith; grandchildren, Tiana (Kristophere') Owens, Marisha
20(Robin) Harris, M.D., and Elyssa, Lauren, and Erin Smith;
21great-granddaughters, Madison Owens and Olivia Harris; and by
22many nieces, nephews, cousins, god-children, and friends;

 

 

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1therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
4we mourn the passing of Frances Louise Walker, and extend our
5sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew
6and loved her; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to the family of Frances Walker as an expression of
9our deepest sympathy.