Senate Resolution No. 565

BY: Senator PARKER

MOURNING the death of Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of her
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson, affectionately known as Strong
Lady, of Brooklyn, New York, died on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at the age
of 84; and

WHEREAS, The daughter of the late Jerry Benjamin and Minnie Lee
Waldo, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson was born Tuesday, June 30, 1936, in
Columbia, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Educated in the Columbia public school system of South
Carolina, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson went on to advance her education,
becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1960s, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson relocated to
Brooklyn, New York, and stayed briefly with her cousin Lena Clemmons
until she quickly adapted to her new circumstances; and

WHEREAS, Clive Felix Wilson I, a native of Guyana, South America,
and the former Betty Sue Clemmons were united in Holy Matrimony in
January of 1970; they lovingly raised two children, Clive Felix Wilson
II and Sha-Rhonda Monique Wilson; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her illustrious career, Betty Sue Clemmons
Wilson held numerous positions and achieved many milestones; in her
early years of living in Brooklyn, she was employed as a Nanny and later
worked with the REO Dry Cleaner chain, where she advanced to a
supervisory position; and

WHEREAS, Longing for more, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson became an
entrepreneur and fulfilled many of her passions while being a
stay-at-home mom; she started her own cleaning business in the 1970s,
and sold beautiful crystal china; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, an excellent cook, she soon opened a
restaurant in Flatbush, Brooklyn, named Fish & Chips, which specialized
in Southern and Caribbean comfort food and desserts; and

WHEREAS, This dynamic woman also worked as a Caregiver in a Group
Home in Sea Gate, Brooklyn, helping teenagers in the early 1980s;
additionally, after an extraordinary career which traversed many
decades, she started to work for the New York Transit Authority as a
Token Clerk, the esteemed position from which she retired in February of
2006; and

WHEREAS, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson was honored with a Service Award
for Seven Years of Perfect Attendance with the New York City Transit
Authority, an achievement she was very proud of; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to her community, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson
gave tirelessly of her time and energies volunteering for her children's
school P.S. 181 in Brooklyn, New York, where she mentored children,
teaching them to read; she was also an Honored Den Mother to the Boy
Scouts of America Pack 8 in Brooklyn, and worked the voting polls,
committed to making sure everyone was informed about the importance of
voting; and

WHEREAS, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson's infinite selflessness and
benevolence will shine on through her family's vivid and happy memories;
her insight and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light
and hope to the countless lives she touched; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing
woman; she will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute
of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson, and to express its deepest
condolences to her family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Betty Sue Clemmons Wilson.