093_SR0129
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1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of
3 Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Lona Mae
4 Martin Ford, "Mama Ford", of Chicago on April 26, 2003; and
5 WHEREAS, Mama Ford, the first born of nine children, was
6 born on January 22, 1923 to the union of Henry and Nather
7 Martin in Carrolton, Mississippi; and
8 WHEREAS, Mama Ford's early education and spiritual growth
9 began in a small community in Carrolton where she received
10 her academic and religious training; she was united in
11 matrimony at an early age to the late Guy McDonald, and to
12 this union two children were born; and
13 WHEREAS, Years later, she married the late Jasper Ford
14 and was a loving wife for over forty years; she became a
15 member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church after moving to
16 Chicago; she later joined Tabernacle M.B. Church in Chicago,
17 where she faithfully served for over forty years; in the
18 early nineties, Mother Ford was one of the founding members,
19 under the leadership of Rev. Albert Johnson, of Living Waters
20 Baptist Church; there she served as one of the leading
21 trustees; she was a trooper in building the church's
22 membership and leading souls to Christ; she demonstrated her
23 Christianity through her relationships with those she
24 encountered on the road of life; and
25 WHEREAS, Mama Ford's culinary skills were demonstrated
26 throughout her Christian life; she especially enjoyed
27 preparing food for her family and friends; she was and
28 extraordinary woman and was a gift to all who knew her; and
29 WHEREAS, Mama Ford's passing will be deeply felt by many,
30 especially her daughter, Bernice (Walter) Singleton; her two
31 sisters, Betty (August) Anderson and Charity Dewitt; her two
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1 brothers, Bennie Martin (Jackie) and George Johnson (Bonnie);
2 her daughter-in-law, Laverne McDonald; her five
3 grandchildren, Latasha McDonald, Alene Caldwell, Guy McDonald
4 III, Shawna Harrington, and Brock Singleton; her two
5 great-granddaughters, Kailyn Harrington and Brooke Singleton;
6 and a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, and other
7 relatives and friends; and
8 WHEREAS, Mama Ford was preceded in death by her parents;
9 her son, Guy; and her late husband, Jasper; therefore, be it
10 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL
11 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of
12 Lona Mae Martin Ford along with all who knew and loved her
13 and extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends;
14 and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16 presented to the family of Lona Mae Martin Ford with our
17 deepest sympathy.