Bill Text: IL SR0246 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the death of Willie Mae McEwen.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2009-04-30 - Resolution Adopted [SR0246 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-SR0246-Introduced.html

---

SR0246 LRB096 12510 KXB 25614 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Willie Mae McEwen, who passed away on
April 18, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Willie Mae McEwen, affectionately known as Ms.
Willie, was born July 26, 1949, in Chicago, to Thomas and Ruth
Lee Loney; Willie Mae attended school in the Chicago Public
school system; she accepted Christ at an early age and was
baptized at the Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church by the
late Reverend Joseph A. Allen; and
WHEREAS, Willie Mae married her childhood sweetheart,
Ralph McBride Sr., who preceded her in death; to this union two
sons were born, Salvador and Ralph; during their union Ralph's
active duty in the Armed Services allowed Willie Mae to travel
around the world; and
WHEREAS, Willie Mae's journey through life was not easy,
however, she was able to capture many aspects in her poetry;
despite all her obstacles, she rededicated her life to Christ
at Mt. Hermon where she was a mentor and guiding light for
other young women; Willie Mae strived to do and know more, so
she pursued higher academic achievements; she earned an
Associate Degree in Applied Science with emphasis in Mental

SR0246 - 2 - LRB096 12510 KXB 25614 r
Health/Addiction Studies from Kennedy-King College with honors
in May of 2005; and
WHEREAS, After receiving her degree, Willie Mae was
employed at HRDI-Human Resources Development Institute where
she was inspirational in leading many women to Christ; she met
and fell instantly in love with Reverend "Chef" John and in
August 2005, Willie Mae married Reverend John McEwen; following
God's direction to worship with her husband, she joined
Cathedral Baptist Church, where she served as the President of
the Prayer Band and a member of the Women's Ministry until God
called her home; and
WHEREAS, Willie Mae McEwen was preceded in death by her
son, Ralph; her mother and father; her three brothers and one
sister; and
WHEREAS, She leaves to mourn her loving husband, John
McEwen; her son, Salvador (Tonese) Woodie; her three
step-daughters, Rita, Janae, and April; her granddaughter,
Amber; her grandfather, John H Doyle Sr.; her three sisters,
Dianna (Walter) Caston, Elizabeth Derrick, and Carol (Eugene)
Langston; her brother, Norval (Loretta) Davenport III; her
mother-in-law, Carrie Jones; her four brother-in-laws, Robert
(Brenda) McEwen, James (Linda) McEwen, Cedric (Juanita)
McEwen, and Erwin (Debee) McEwen; her four sister-in-laws,

SR0246 - 3 - LRB096 12510 KXB 25614 r
Shirley (Gary) Hearns, Idela (Elias) Daughrity, Doris McGhee,
and Carolyn (Alvin) McBride; her favorite aunt and uncle, John
Jr. and Joyce Doyle, who were like a brother and sister to her;
her three aunts, Angelina Brown, Katie Doyle, and Jacqueline
(Addis) McCarroll; her 64 nieces and nephews; her 51
grandnieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and friends; she
also leaves behind one grand niece, Danetta Loney, that she
called her daughter; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
her family and friends, the passing of Willie Mae McEwen; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Willie Mae McEwen as a symbol of our
sincere sympathy.