SR0230 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0230 LRB098 11725 MST 44653 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Erma M. Davis of Peoria, who passed away on April 6, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Erma Davis was born on April 2, 1930, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to E.M. and Cora (Spillman) Moore; she married Charles W. Davis; and

WHEREAS, Erma Davis became the executive director of the George Washington Carver Community Center in Peoria in 1966, and during her 28 years of service she spearheaded such notable programs as Carver Center Day Care, the Optometry and Dental Program, the Computer Education Program, the Annual Christmas Basket Giveaway, the Senior Citizens Program, and the College Bound For Excellence Program; with the help of Methodist Medical Center, she created the idea of a Carver Family Health Center to provide medical services for the residents of Peoria's south side; and

WHEREAS, Erma Davis had a firm belief in human rights and a concern for all people; she was one of 12 people appointed by the American Health Care System to select an exemplary program that provided health care for disadvantaged people; she was one of the founding members of the Peoria Chapter Urban League Guild, later becoming the national president; she was the first African American female to serve on the board of directors of Methodist Medical Center, and was appointed to Ronald Reagan's Task Force on Hunger; and

WHEREAS, Erma Davis was a member of First United Methodist Church for more than 40 years, where she served as a lay person to the United Methodist Conference and was involved with the Loaves and Fish Feeding Program; and

WHEREAS, Erma Davis was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and 2 brothers; and

WHEREAS, Erma Davis is survived by her children, Sharon (Allen) Kilgore, Robert (Carmen) Davis, Michele Davis, and Lisa Davis; her goddaughter, Dr. Lona C. Bibbs; her grandchildren, Aaron (Amanda) Kilgore and Evan Kilgore; her great-grandchild, Alexander Davis Kilgore; her sisters, Ruby (Kenneth) Williams and Gaye (Alvin) Wilson; her brother, Eugene M. Williams; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Erma Davis, and we extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That as suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Erma Davis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.