Bill Text: IL HR0557 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Marcia Yvonne Lewis.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-02-06 - Resolution Adopted [HR0557 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0557-Introduced.html

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HR0557 LRB103 37747 ECR 67875 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Marcia
Yvonne Lewis, who passed away on January 3, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis was born Leona Oliver on August 16,
1946; she didn't know her parents or the place she was born, as
her first foster parents changed her name soon after birth; as
a young girl, she was adopted by Elmore and Otha Miles, an Army
couple, and they welcomed her into a loving family with four
siblings, Anthony, Denise, the late Timothy, and Regina; and
WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis traveled the world with the Miles
family; while they were stationed in Germany, her mother died,
and the family returned to the United States; she was 15 years
old, and although her father decided to return to Germany, she
stayed behind in Chicago to live with her father's sister,
Princetta; and
WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis moved to California, and she had her
first child, Rosslyn, in 1964; she returned to Chicago and
gave birth to her second child, Jonathon Sr. in 1966; and
WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Marcia Lewis met and married Phil
Lewis, a WW II veteran and jitney driver, who became a beacon

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of stability for her and her children until his death in 1982;
and
WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis eventually moved to Peoria, and in
the early 1990s, she began taking in foster children, four of
whom she adopted; she cultivated loving spaces for her adopted
children, her biological children, and her many grandchildren;
her home was filled with her beautiful crafts, her son
Jonathon's art, and, at Christmas time, her festive holiday
decorations; and
WHEREAS, In her later years, Marcia Lewis developed a
loving community of close friends and neighbors at the Grand
Regency of Peoria, where she enjoyed good food, Grand Regency
gossip, and people watching at the facility's long winding
entrance; she was an abiding, listening ear during chats with
her sister, Denise, who called daily; and
WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis was preceded in death by her husband
and her son, Chauncie; and
WHEREAS, Marcia Lewis is survived by her children,
Jonathon Romain Sr. (Nikki), Rosslyn, Curtis, Lacretia, and
Ladarius; her special children, Teonna Ware and Eric Edwards;
14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; seven
great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces,

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nephews, and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Marcia Yvonne Lewis and extend our
sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew
and loved her; and be it further