HR0232 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0232 LRB098 11666 MST 44200 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize Mayetta Epps Miller as the oldest living resident in the State of Illinois as of January 2012; and

WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was the oldest of 6 children, born on April 15, 1901, to Tom and Melissa White in Lewisville, Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was educated in Lewisville, Arkansas, and received training at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she became a teacher and taught in Arkansas for several years, sharing her love for learning; and

WHEREAS, In 1923, Mayetta Epps Miller married Travis Morris Epps; they relocated to East St. Louis and were married for 48 years until his death in 1972; to this union 5 children were born and 4 children preceded her in death; she is survived by one loving and devoted son, James Levoid Epps Sr.; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, Mayetta Epps Miller was remarried to Cliff Miller; he preceded her in death in 1994 after 18 years of marriage; and

WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was a devoted member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in East St. Louis for over 88 years and was recognized for service and longevity as the oldest member in term of years of service and age; she was active with the Jennie Thomas Missionary Task Force and an active Senior Usher for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was also very active in her community where she served as secretary for the American Legion Women's Auxiliary and was a member of the Willing Worker's Social Club for many years; and

WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller celebrated her 100th birthday on April 15, 2001, and April 15, 2011, was her 110th birthday; East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks designated the day as "Mayetta Epps Miller Day" in East St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, On April 13, 2012, Mayetta Epps Miller's 111th birthday, she was recognized on NBC's Today Show by Willard Scott's "Smuckers" on air birthday acknowledgements; and

WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was listed on the internet as a Living Super-centenarian in the United States and on Wikipedia as the 14th oldest living American as of January 2012 and the oldest living resident in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was featured in numerous articles in the Alton Telegraph, Belleville News Democrat, East St. Louis Monitor, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspapers; and

WHEREAS, Mayetta Epps Miller was a dedicated home-maker, wife, grandmother, beautician, counselor, financial planner, and a phenomenal lady of wisdom, who was alert and had a remarkable memory and legible handwriting until her death on December 31, 2012; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Mayetta Epps Miller as the oldest living resident in the State of Illinois as of January 2012; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mayetta Epps Miller as an expression of our esteem and respect.