SR0047 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0047 LRB095 07350 KXB 27491 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Estella Parker of Chicago, who passed away on January 19, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Estella Parker was born on February 9, 1931 in Chicago; her parents were Tullius and Annie Reba Parker; and

WHEREAS, Estella Parker attended Doolittle Elementary School and graduated from Wendell Phillips High School in 1948; she continued her studies at Herzel Junior College; and

WHEREAS, Estella Parker was raised in the West Point Baptist Church family and applied her many Christian teachings and business skills to various humanitarian services in the church and community; and

WHEREAS, Working tirelessly in her church, Estella Parker held such offices as the President of the General Missionary Society, the National Officer of the National Baptist Congress, the Secretary to the Dean of Christian Education, and the President of the Senior Citizens Council; and

WHEREAS, Estella Parker was one of the first Black usherettes at the Oriental Theater in Chicago; she was one of the first Black long-distance operators at Illinois Bell, where she rose to the position of supervisor, retiring after thirty years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, After her retirement she devoted herself to family and community activities, including volunteering at The Bret Harte School; she became more active with her sorority, Eta Phi Beta, and enjoyed her sorority sisters; she extended her love to children she mentored, especially Angela Dixon, Carl R. Smith, Lindsey Phillips, Carl R. Smith Jr.(CJ), and Christian; and

WHEREAS, Estella Parker is survived by her beloved mother, Annie Reba Parker; her siblings, Mabel Parker Smith, Tullius Parker, and Zelma Parker Davis; her sorority sisters at the Alpha Lambda Chapter; and her nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Estella Parker; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Estella Parker as a symbol of our sincere sympathy at this time of loss.