SR0553 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0553 LRB095 20177 GRL 46743 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Maggie Peterson, who passed away on September 10, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Maggie Peterson was born on December 25, 1912 in Sulphur Spring, Mississippi; her parents were the late Howard and Daisy Melton; she was united in holy matrimony to Willie Peterson; to this union, two children, Leon and Sammie Peterson, were born; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 12, Maggie Peterson confessed her hope in Christ and joined the Macedonia Baptist Church; her family moved to Sledge, Mississippi many years later and joined the St. Phillip Baptist Church; the family moved again, to Tutwiler, Mississippi, and joined the Mount Zion Baptist Church, where Ms. Peterson sang with the Doctor Watts Choir in 1928; later, she moved to Mount Bayou, Louisiana and joined the Jerusalem Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir and Usher Board; and

WHEREAS, In 1930, Maggie Peterson moved to Shelby, Mississippi and joined the Magnolia Baptist Church, where she served on the mother's board and choir; in 1941, she moved to Detroit, Michigan and joined the Greater Russell Street Baptist Church, where she rendered whatever services the congregation required of her; in 1960, she moved to Gary, Indiana and joined New Friendship Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Reverend Benjamin Holmes; and

WHEREAS, Maggie Peterson was an accomplished choir singer; she sang with the choirs of Macedonia Baptist Church, St. Phillip Baptist Church, Mount Zion Baptist Church's Doctor Watts Choir, the Jerusalem Baptist Church, Magnolia Baptist Church, Greater Russell Street Baptist Church, and the New Friendship Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Maggie Peterson's love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared her to her family members, friends, and all who knew her, and enabled her to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; 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 Maggie Peterson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Maggie Peterson as an expression of our sympathy.