Bill Text: IL HR0861 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Pearly Mae Bonds of Peoria.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-11-12 - Resolution Adopted [HR0861 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0861-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Pearly
Mae Bonds of Peoria, who passed away on June 29, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Pearly Bonds was born to Oscar Stinson Sr. and
Elizabeth (Mitchell) Stinson in Curve, Tennessee on October 4,
1923; she married T.R. Bonds in Caruthersville, Missouri on
October 31, 1942; and
WHEREAS, Pearly Bonds was a dedicated civil rights leader
in Peoria for over 50 years; she was instrumental in the City
of Peoria donating the NAACP building, and her efforts were
publicly celebrated when the building was renamed the Pearly
M. Bonds Community Center in 2014; she was one of the founding
visionaries of Peoria's African American Hall of Fame Museum
in 1987, where she served as a mentor and adviser to museum
leaders and was inducted in March 1996; and
WHEREAS, Pearly Bonds committed to her faith at an early
age; she attended Friendship Baptist Church, Grace Baptist
Church, and Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Peoria, where she was
a member for over 50 years and served in many capacities,
including as a pastoral advisor, pastor's aide, steward, and
choir member; she also founded the Willing Workers Club, was a

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member of the Wilberforce Club, and led several voter
registration drives at church and in the community over the
years; and
WHEREAS, Pearly Bonds received many accolades, including
the NAACP 25 Years or More Service Diploma in July 1984, a
Certificate of Recognition from the Harrison Youth Center in
April 1992, the Rosa Parks Award from the King Holiday
Committee of Peoria in January 2009, the Valeska S. Hinton
Human Rights Award from the YWCA of Peoria in May 2010, and a
Certificate of Recognition for Dedicated Christian Service as
an Usher from the United Usher Board of Peoria in June 1997;
and
WHEREAS, Pearly Bonds was preceded in death by her
parents; her husband; her daughter, Theresa "Terry" Bonds; her
brothers, Joseph E. Graves, Eddie Stinson, and William
Stinson; and her sisters, Virginia Stinson Donaldson, Girtie
B. Phillips, and Maggie L. Jamison; and
WHEREAS, Pearly Bonds is survived by her son, James Bond;
her grandchildren, Carlos Metts, Teon Metts, D'Mir Henderson,
Kristopher Poynter, and Avante' Bond; 10 great-grandchildren;
her sisters, Lillian Crooks and Alice Montine Brown; her
brother, Joseph Bedford (Marlene) Stinson; and a host of other
family and friends; therefore, be it

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