Bill Text: IL SR0757 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Betsy W. Stockard-Odeneal of Decatur.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6)

Status: (Passed) 2015-07-15 - Resolution Adopted [SR0757 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-SR0757-Introduced.html

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SR0757 LRB099 13166 GRL 37058 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Betsy W. Stockard-Odeneal of Decatur, who
passed away on June 28, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Stockard-Odeneal was born on June 13, 1946
in Bloomington; her parents were James C. and Edna Lewis; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Stockard-Odeneal was employed as a
substance abuse counselor at the Wells Center for 7 years; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Stockard-Odeneal was a longtime member of
the North Jasper Street Church of Christ; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Stockard-Odeneal was well known in the
Decatur community and was one of the civic leaders of the city;
she was the first African-American woman to be elected to the
Decatur City Council; she also initiated the "Stop the Violence
Marches" and began Central Illinois' first violence gang
prevention agency, The Youth Empowerment Agency, in 1993; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Stockard-Odeneal was preceded in death by
her parents; her husband, Michael; 2 sons, John and Gregory
Howard; 4 sisters, Bertha Hansen, Beatrice Steward, Mae Helen
Gant, and Betty Jean Taylor; and a brother, Sammy Lewis; and

SR0757 - 2 - LRB099 13166 GRL 37058 r
WHEREAS, Betsy Stockard-Odeneal is survived by 4 sons,
Rodney Howard, Melvin (friend, Tracy Dickerson) Reed, Jamison
(Katrina) Ambrose, Mark Ambrose; a daughter, Tamara Howard; a
sister, Pauline (Charles) Maudin; 11 grandchildren; 3
great-grandchildren; her special loved ones, Cynthia Brown,
Gloria Smith, and Libby James; and her many nieces, nephews,
other relatives, church family, and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her
family and friends, mourn the passing of Betsy W.
Stockard-Odeneal; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Betsy Stockard-Odeneal as an
expression of our sympathy.