Bill Text: IL HR1373 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Verna Lisa Baker.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-01-08 - Resolution Adopted [HR1373 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR1373-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Verna
Lisa Baker, who passed away on November 28, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Verna Baker was born on March 28, 1953, in
Chicago, and was raised in Robbins and Blue Island; her parents
were Bettie Jean and Joseph Donald Boyd; she married Larry D.
Baker on December 21, 1985; and
WHEREAS, Verna Baker graduated from Thomas J. Kellar Junior
High School in 1967; after graduating from Dwight D. Eisenhower
High School in 1971, she attended Moraine Valley Community
College in Palos Hills, where she received an associate degree
in 1973; after working various jobs, she desired to further her
education, and enrolled at St. Xavier University in Chicago,
where she received a bachelor's degree in speech and language
pathology in 1983; she earned her Master of Arts from Concordia
University in River Forest in 2000; she also enrolled in the
Doctoral Program at Northern Illinois University; and
WHEREAS, Verna Baker taught 5th grade at Bethel Christian
School and its Child Development Program; when the job of
Administrative Director of Bethel Educational Services became
available, she applied and was chosen by the Board of Directors

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to fill the position; and
WHEREAS, Verna Baker served as a volunteer at Bethel New
Life and at Bethel Lutheran Church; from 2000 to 2003, she
served as an Assistant Professor of Education and Assistant
Director of the Office of Field Experience at Concordia
University in River Forest; she was recently employed at the
Chicago International Charter School by PYK Services as a
speech para-professional; she also choreographed the Robbins
Village Activity Guild Cotillion; and
WHEREAS, Verna Baker was baptized at the age of 5 at Good
Shepard Lutheran Church in Robbins, where she attended until
1985; during this time, she and her husband moved to the West
Side of Chicago and eventually joined Bethel Lutheran Church;
as a member of the church, she worked on every committee and
held many major positions in the church; she was a soloist in
the choir and worked with the youth of the church, Sunday
School, Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, Bible Study, and
the Christian Education Ministry until her passing; she also
gave occasional sermons at the church; she was also a board
member for Bethel New Life; and
WHEREAS, Verna Baker enjoyed photography, quilting,
sewing, catering, interior decorating, singing, writing, and
public speaking; she was also an excellent card player and

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played Bid Whist regularly with family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Verna Baker was preceded in death by her mother,
Bettie Jean Boyd; her cousin, Toni D. Christmas; and her
lifelong friend, Mary Morgan Brown; and
WHEREAS, Verna Baker is survived by her devoted husband,
Larry D. Baker; her daughters, Cachet Joy Baker-Walker (James)
and Jasmine Janee' Baker; her stepson, Maurice Baker (Shaque);
her beloved grandchildren, Talia M. Baker, Ashante B. Baker,
Verlaina L. Baker, Anariah Walker, and Mariah Walker; her
father, Joseph Donald Boyd; her siblings, Steven A. Boyd, Jo
Anna M. Boyd, and Brenda S. Boyd; her sisters-in-law, Sandra L.
Santee and Claire Baker; her cousin, Arthur Raymond Jackson
(Joanna); her nephew and godson, Carey B. Boyd; her devoted
cousin and sister, Victoria Napolez; her faithful cousin, Damon
Knight; her loving friends, Amella Chambers-Little and Dennis
Hersey; the members of her church family; her devoted friends,
Deborah Williams, Ivory Banks, Keisha Banks, Roger Jones,
Terkeysa Clay Patterson; the children of Bethel Lutheran Church
and the Chicago International Charter School; her co-workers;
and her many other family members and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of

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Verna Lisa Baker; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Verna Baker as an expression of our
sympathy.