HR0056 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0056 LRB103 30589 MST 57028 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Bertha Bell Cross, who passed away on January 19, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Cross was born in Grenada, Mississippi to Irby and Matilda Willis on September 20, 1937; she received her formal education through Calhoun County Public Schools; she was baptized at Pleasant Grove M.B. Church; she relocated to Chicago, where she found a church home in New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church; she married Billy Ray Cross on January 12, 1962; later in life, she met James "Jack" Jamison, and the two were inseparable; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Cross was employed in the housekeeping department at Michael Reese Hospital before venturing into entrepreneurship and launching a private homemaking business; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Cross was affectionately known as "Ba Bell", "Bert", "Bertha Bell", "Bye Bye", "Momma B", "Ms. Bertha", and "Ms. Cross"; her proudest title was "Grandma" and "Nana" to her grandchildren; she encouraged them to pursue higher education and instilled in them a number of lifelong values, including a hard work ethic; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Cross was truly a class act; she had a presence that lit up every room, and she never met a stranger; she had a passion for serving others and demonstrated this through entertaining, hosting, and showcasing her southern hospitality; she especially loved to cook and enjoyed preparing delicious food for the soul, a skill she learned from her grandmother, "Ma Bertha", after whom she was named; she was also a sports fan, with her primary joy being baseball; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Cross was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Ray Cross; her parents; her brothers, L.A. Robinson and William "Tater" Willis; her sisters, Mildred T. Willis, Benetta Starks, Hansome Conley, and Rebecca "Bec" Willis; and her grandparents, Sam and Mary Golliday and William and Bertha Willis; and

WHEREAS, Bertha Cross is survived by her partner of over 30 years, James "Jack" Jamison; her children, Michael "Mike" Willis and Cassandra Cross; her stepchildren, Billy (Angela) and Michael Hayes; her Goddaughter, Cherise "Reesee" (Simeon) Gillard El; her grandchildren, Tesheena "Sheena" (Darrell) Horn and Jaylin D. McClinton; her Godgrandchildren, NeKaiya Brandon El, Samara Brandon El, Joycelyn Brandon El, and Simeon "Nugget" Brandon El II; her brother, Robert Willis; her special co-worker, Claudia Vargas; two sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bertha Bell Cross and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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