Bill Text: IL HR0056 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Bertha Bell Cross.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-04-15 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Natalie A. Manley [HR0056 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0056-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.