SR0538 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0538 LRB093 22093 HSS 51215 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Myrtle Bernadine Gilliam Officer on April 23, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Myrtle Bernadine Gilliam was born on April 22, 1923, in Okolona, Mississippi to Raymond G. Gilliam and Myrtle Robinson Gilliam; sadly, her mother died three months after her birth; her maternal grandparents, B.I. and Florence Robinson, reared her in their home on Pearl Street in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, She received her formal education from the Jackson, Mississippi Public School System and graduated from Lanier High School in 1941; following graduation, she spent her college freshman year at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi; it was there she met a handsome, young soldier named Marion E. Officer who would become her partner for life; and

WHEREAS, They were united in Holy Matrimony April 25, 1944, a few days before he was deployed to Europe during World War II; she moved to East St. Louis and lived with his parents while waiting for his return; they were blessed with three children, a daughter, Bernadette, and two sons, Carl and Marion, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Officer was extremely instrumental in assisting her husband when he succeeded his parents as the President of Officer Funeral Home in 1954; she made the difficult decision to leave her family in September 1956 to attend Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago; she received her degree in June of 1957; following a one year apprenticeship, she became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Illinois in 1958; following the death of her husband in 1989, she became the CEO of the Officer Funeral Homes; under her leadership, the firm continued the legacy of providing excellence in funeral service and service to the community; and

WHEREAS, As a community leader, Mrs. Officer was involved in numerous local and national organizations including: Venus Temple #1042 I.B.P.O.E. of W (charter member), Queen Elizabeth Chapter #16 Order of the Eastern Star, the East St. Louis Women's Club, and the Las Amigas Club; she was also a member of a number of professional organizations including: the International Order of the Golden Rule, the National Funeral Directors Association, St. Clair County Association of Family Owned Funeral Homes, St. Clair County Funeral Directors Association, and the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Officer enjoyed three things; shopping, more shopping, and shopping until you drop; she was as happy shopping at the Dollar Store as she was uptown; when her health prevented her from indulging her passion, she found comfort in QVC; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Officer's greatest accomplishment was being a mother and grandmother; she never ceased teaching or nurturing her family with wisdom and love; she was a quiet tower of determination and strength; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Myrtle Bernadine Gilliam Officer will be deeply felt by many, especially her loving children, Ms. M. Bernadette Officer, Mayor Carl E. Officer (Lisa), and Mr. Marion E. Officer, II, (Adrienne); her grandchildren, Melanie B. Officer, Marion E. Officer, III, and Carli E. Officer; her step-grandchildren, Roderick J. Lewis and Ryan J. Lewis; her sister, Ramona Gilliam Roberts; her second loving family, Mrs. Ada N. Woodson, Mrs. Jocelyn Woodson Reed, Ms. Natalie Woodson, Mr. Brandon W. Reed, and Mrs. Patricia A. Thornton (Wayman); Rev. Delancey H. Moore, Sr., (Debra), Delancey H. Moore, II, and Darrington Moore; her cousins, Mrs. Annie Johnson (Jesse) and Mrs. Beverly Anderson (Maurice); her many nieces, nephews, and godchildren; her other relatives and many friends; her St. Luke A.M.E. Church family; and her loyal and devoted staff; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Myrtle Bernadine Gilliam as a token of our deepest sympathy.