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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Pearline Ruby (nee Jones) Cunigan; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Pearline Cunigan was born in Memphis, Tennessee on
5August 5, 1921 to Leroy, Sr. and Hattie Jones; at the age of 8,
6she and her family settled in Chicago; she graduated from
7Felsenthal Elementary School in 1935 and from Wendell Phillips
8Academy High School in 1939; she studied at Washburne Trade
9School, Woodrow Wilson Junior College, Roosevelt University,
10and Central YMCA College; in 1948, she married Donald Nolan;
11her first marriage ended and she married Jacey Cunigan on
12September 5, 1975; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Pearline Cunigan worked for 30 years for Maremont
14Automotives, where she served as treasurer of its credit union
15and as a union representative; she later worked in a clerical
16capacity for the Chicago Office of the Veterans Administration;
17she was also an administrative assistant to the late Illinois
18State Senator Margaret Smith; while working in Senator Smith's
19office she became friends with Sandra Douglas and Felton
20Mitchell and remained close to them until her passing; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Pearline Cunigan was baptized at the age of 13 and
22was active in the church throughout her life; she was a charter

 

 

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1member of Bethsaida Missionary Baptist Church in August of
21967; she served as the first financial secretary, member of
3the Margaret Smith Circle, member of the Phoebe Circle of the
4Missionary Department, Sunday school teacher, member of the
5Board of Christian Education, member of the Baptist Training
6Union, instructor of Religious Education, and supervisor of the
7Children's Church Work Department; she directed hundreds of
8children's programs and chaired many milestone events for the
9church, including anniversary celebrations, fashion shows,
10"3:30 programs", and trailblazing luncheons and dinners for
11fundraising efforts; she developed weekly church bulletins,
12certificates, posters, banners, and program booklets; her
13Sunday outfits, with coordinating hats, were the envy of every
14church lady's eye; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Pearline Cunigan was a member of the Bella Donna
16Social Club for over 50 years; she enjoyed planning and giving
17parties, cooking, bowling, ballroom dancing, singing, love
18stories, and daily talks on the phone with her brother; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Pearline Cunigan was preceded in death by her
20parents and her husband; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Pearline Cunigan is survived by her brother, Leroy
22Jones, Jr.; her niece and goddaughter, Linda Mitchell (Richard,
23Sr.); nieces, Debra Milton (Arlester, Sr.), Yvonne Raymond,

 

 

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1Carolyn Hopkins (Darnell), and Janice Wilson; nephews, Kenneth
2Fletcher, Daniel Fletcher (Delvetta), David Fletcher
3(Josephine), George Wilson (Valerie), and Benjamin Clark
4(Karen); many dear and life-long friends; her church family of
5Bethsaida Missionary Baptist Church; and a host of other
6relatives and friends; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
9Pearline Ruby Cunigan, and extend our sincere condolences to
10her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
11further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13presented to the family of Pearline Cunigan as an expression of
14our deepest sympathy.