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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Bettye 
4Pearl Jakes-Russ, who passed away on February 11, 2013; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was born on April 29, 1926, in 
6Minter City, Mississippi; she was the seventh  of the eight 
7children of Robert and Sarah Knox; she married Percy Jakes in 
81949; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ confessed hope in Christ at an 
10early age; she was a faithful member of the Macedonia 
11Missionary Baptist Church in Oneida, Arkansas, where she served 
12on the usher's and mother's boards as a Sunday school teacher, 
13church secretary, choir member, pastor's aide, and the 
14president of the mission department; she later moved to Chicago 
15and became a member of First Baptist Church under the 
16leadership of Rev. George Daniels; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was a cherished friend of 
18everyone she met throughout her life and was known as the 
19"politician's mom of the 37th Ward of Chicago"; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ enjoyed fishing, making 
21jewelry, and working in her puzzle book; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was a devoted mother and was 
2known for enjoying spending time with her family and sharing 
3love in every aspect of her life; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was a truly exemplary human 
5being; she will always be remembered for her dedication to 
6serve others and for her inspiration, strength of character, 
7courage, generosity, and caring for her family and friends; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ was preceded in death by her 
9parents; her siblings, Sedell,
Luemether, Luethel, CW, Chapel, 
10Shain, and Cell Knox; and her children, Joe L. Knox, 
11Cornelious, Fannie Lee, Nathaniel, Willie B.,
Danielle Yvonne, 
12and Freddie B. Jakes; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Bettye Jakes-Russ is survived by her children, 
14Excell (Dorothy) Brown, Lacy
Flemings, Jeanette (Sam) Sidney, 
15Eartis (Marilyn) Jakes,
Mary Jackson, Minnie Jakes,
Percy Jakes 
16Jr., Bettye (Rufus) Pulphus, Jessie Jakes, Ald. Emma
Mitts, 
17Lueathel (Lenard) Seawood, and
Sheryl (Ira) French; her 
18sisters-in-law, Catherine Young, Cora Lee Swanigan, and Sara 
19Knox; her 54 grandchildren; her 102 great-grandchildren; her 26 
20great-great grandchildren; her godson, Reverend Clifford 
21Williams; and her many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and 
22friends; therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
2NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
3we mourn the passing of Bettye Jakes-Russ and we extend our 
4sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew 
5and loved her; and be it further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to the family of Bettye Jakes-Russ as an expression 
8of our deepest sympathy.