<tr><td class="xsl" colspan="3"><p> </p> </td></tr></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl" colspan="3"><table class="xsl" width="100%"><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="30%"></colgroup><colgroup width="20%"></colgroup><colgroup width="40%"></colgroup><tr><td class="number"></td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" align="left">SR0295</td><td class="xsl" align="center"></td><td class="xsl" align="right">LRB104 13481 MST 25920 r</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl"> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">1</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><center><code>SENATE RESOLUTION</code></center> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">2</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">3</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>to learn of the death of Mary Jo Copeland, who passed away on </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">4</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>April 17, 2025; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">5</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Mary Jo Copeland was born in Cropwell, Alabama to </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">6</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Earlie and Annie O'Neal on December 16, 1936; she moved to </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">7</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Decatur in 1956 and married Edward "Eddie" Copeland; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">8</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Mary Jo Copeland worked for many years at GE </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">9</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Manufacturing before beginning a second career at Decatur </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">10</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Township and always carried herself with dignity, integrity, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">11</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>and a deep sense of commitment; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">12</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Mary Jo Copeland was a lifelong and faithful </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">13</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where she served </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">14</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>as an usher and choir member; she was also an esteemed member </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">15</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>of St. Mary's Chapter #65 Order of the Eastern Star in Decatur; </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">16</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">17</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Mary Jo Copeland was a legendary cook, known far </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">18</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>and wide for her homemade dressing, creamy macaroni and </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">19</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>cheese, and sweet potato pies, which brought family and </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">20</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>friends together around the table; and</code> </td></tr></table><table class="xsl" width="650"><tr><td class="lineNum" colspan="3"><p> </p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl" colspan="3"><table class="xsl" width="100%"><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="30%"></colgroup><colgroup width="20%"></colgroup><colgroup width="40%"></colgroup><tr><td class="number"></td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" align="left">SR0295</td><td class="xsl" align="center">- 2 -</td><td class="xsl" align="right">LRB104 13481 MST 25920 r</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl"> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">1</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Mary Jo Copeland was an avid sports fan, and she </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">2</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>often spent her weekends watching college basketball, college </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">3</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>football, and professional football; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">4</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Mary Jo Copeland had a unique gift for making </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">5</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>people feel special; her honest words and heartfelt presence </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">6</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>left a lasting impression on all who knew her, and her presence </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">7</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>always made things better; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">8</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Mary Jo Copeland was preceded in death by her </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">9</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>parents; her husband, Edward "Eddie" Copeland; her brother, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">10</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Lenford O'Neal; and her sister, Irene Butler; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">11</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Mary Jo Copeland is survived by her son, Mylas </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">12</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>(Casey) Copeland; her grandchildren, Aesen and Darby Copeland; </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">13</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>her siblings, Thelma Jones, James (Mollie) O'Neal, and </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">14</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Earnestine O'Neal; her sister, Marcelene Ragland; and numerous </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">15</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">16</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>friends; therefore, be it</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">17</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">18</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">19</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Mary Jo Copeland and extend our sincere condolences to he </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">20</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">21</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>further</code> </td></tr></table><table class="xsl" width="650"><tr><td class="lineNum" colspan="3"><p> </p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl" colspan="3"><table class="xsl" width="100%"><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="30%"></colgroup><colgroup width="20%"></colgroup><colgroup width="40%"></colgroup><tr><td class="number"></td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" align="left">SR0295</td><td class="xsl" align="center">- 3 -</td><td class="xsl" align="right">LRB104 13481 MST 25920 r</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl"> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">1</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">2</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>presented to the family of Mary Jo Copeland as an expression of </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">3</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>our deepest sympathy.</code>