SR0359 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0359 LRB093 14790 KEF 40347 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Serina Mary Fortineaux Smith of Hazelcrest on November 21, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith was born on December 6, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Arthur and Scurina Fortineaux; the family moved to Chicago in 1938; and

WHEREAS, She was attending Washburn Trade School in Chicago when she met and fell in love with William Smith; to their union, eight children were born: Bathsheba, Carmensieta, Sherry, Shelita, Artheria, William Joseph, Fedencia, Venetia, and her step-daughter Rosetta; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith was a very hard worker and held several jobs before becoming an entrepreneur; she and her family lived on the South Side of Chicago and purchased a cleaning business and grocery store; upon her husband's death, she continued to operate their store until she went into semi-retirement; she decided to open up her own convenient store where she worked for several years; and

WHEREAS, She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at Hazelcrest Assembly Church in Hazelcrest; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith's passing will be deeply felt by many, especially her sister, Dardina; her brother, Arthur; her seven daughters; her twenty-eight grandchildren; her thirty-four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild, all of whom affectionately called her "Granny"; her sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mathilda; her brother, Warren; her husband, William; and her son, William Joseph; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Serina Mary Fortineaux Smith along with all who knew and loved her and extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Serina Mary Fortineaux Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.