SR0945 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0945 LRB101 17424 LAW 66833 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Celestine "Bunchie" Jakes of Chicago, who passed away on January 9, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Celestine Jakes was born in Wabash, Arkansas to Reverend Johnnie James Sr. and Callie Jakes on January 11, 1947; she was the youngest of 10 children and enjoyed being the baby of her family; she graduated from Lakeview High School in Elaine, Arkansas in 1965; she followed many of her siblings and moved to Chicago; she organized, alongside her sisters, a social club called The Socialites; and

WHEREAS, Celestine Jakes was deeply committed to her faith; she was a member of the faith family of West Point Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago; formerly, she was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Chicago and First New Christian Baptist Church in Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, Celestine Jakes was a dedicated mother and modeled her parenting after her own parents; she was loving and compassionate and believed in discipline; she was also a loyal friend, especially to her siblings and her classmates at Lakeview High School; she believed in honesty and was forthright to a fault; and

WHEREAS, Celestine Jakes was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Betty Chapman, Cora Dandredge, Margaret Sledge, Pastor Paul L. Jakes Sr., and Johnnie James Jakes Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Celestine Jakes is survived by her children, LaChrisia Nannette Jakes, Dr. LaShawn Bernard (Carole) Jakes, and Davionne Brown Jakes; her grandchildren, Reginald (Sharena) Reed, Brandon Jakes, and Erika Jakes; her siblings, Elizabeth James, Sallie Pearl Sanders, Callie Beatrice Adams, and E. Willie (Lawana) Jakes; and those whom she considered as sons, Quincy B. Banks, Pastor Delbert Earl Wright, Dr. Charley Hames Jr., and Dr. S. Todd Yeary; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Celestine "Bunchie" Jakes and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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