Bill Text: IL HR0232 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizes Mayetta Epps Miller as the oldest living person in the State of Illinois as of January 2012.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2013-04-11 - Resolution Adopted [HR0232 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-HR0232-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.