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90_SR0258
LRB9013325KBkb
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Odessie Gardner; and
4 WHEREAS, Odessie Gardner was born in Butler, Alabama on
5 February 12, 1917; her parents were Mr. Leroy Harvin and Mrs.
6 Katie Bruton Harvin; as a tribute to her sister, Dessie Bell,
7 she was named Odessie, but called by her nickname, Scrap; and
8 WHEREAS, Odessie Gardner confessed her faith and was
9 baptized in the Guildfield Baptist Church in Push-Matta-Ha,
10 Alabama; on the summer of 1933 she moved to East St. Louis,
11 Illinois and joined the Southern Mission Baptist Church; a
12 member for 65 years, she served as a member of the chorus,
13 the Senior Usher Board, the Kitchen Committee, the Nurse's
14 Board, was enrolled in Adult Class #1, and was supervisor of
15 the Junior Usher Board; and
16 WHEREAS, Odessie Gardner attended public schools in
17 Butler, Alabama and learned a trade as a seamstress; during
18 World War II she was employed as a chipper at the Granite
19 City Steel Company; she later worked as a special machine
20 operator with the Saint Louis Garment District, retiring in
21 1979; upon her retirement she became lovingly known as
22 "Granny" due to her involvement with the Foster Grandparent
23 Program; through her work with the program she received a
24 certificate of appreciation from the President of the United
25 States; and
26 WHEREAS, Odessie Gardner was married to Paul Gardner,
27 Jr., who preceded her in death; and
28 WHEREAS, She was a member of the Precinct #21 block unit
29 from its origin 22 years ago until the present; she was also
30 a member of the Winstanley Park Improvement Association; and
31 WHEREAS, Odessie Gardner leaves behind her daughters, Ms.
-2- LRB9013325KBkb
1 Doris Robinson and Mrs. Barbara Wilson; her son, Antwann
2 Wilson; her grandaughters, Daphaney, Renea, and LaJuania
3 Wilson, Mrs. Angela Flowers, Zelphia Otis, and Ardis
4 Williams; her sixteen great-grandchildren; her ten
5 great-great-grandchildren; her nieces, Mrs. Lessie (Richard)
6 Reynolds, and Mrs. Dorene (Lacy) McGee; her nephew, Mr.
7 Charles (Ethel) Ruffin; many other nieces, nephews, and
8 cousins; her special cousins, Mrs. Naomi Jordan, and Ms.
9 Willa Mae Bruton; her loyal play son, Robert Thompson; her
10 friends, Brother Henry McKinzey, and Brother and Sister
11 McKinley Rainey; her sisters-in-law, Lorraine Ezell, and
12 Rosie Gardner; her church family, and her many friends;
13 therefore, be it
14 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
15 OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her
16 family and friends, the death of Odessie Gardner of East St.
17 Louis, Illinois; may they find peace and comfort in this time
18 of need; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20 presented to the family of Odessie Gardner.