SR1460 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1460 LRB101 22334 MST 73377 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sandy Thomas Carter of Shorewood, who passed away on September 6, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Carter was born in Princeton, New Jersey to the Azah and Emma L. (Gregory) Carter on March 29, 1948; during his early school years, he worked in his mother's restaurant, Emma's Luncheonette, as a waiter; during his junior and senior years in high school, he worked for an overnight camp, which was the start of his career working with youth; he graduated from Princeton High School in 1966 and completed his bachelor's degree in elementary education at Newark State College (Kean University), where he helped found the college's first Black student action group; he married Mary Theresa Coleman at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Westwood, New Jersey on August 26, 1972; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Carter began his teaching career in Newark, New Jersey as an elementary school teacher and later taught in East Orange, New Jersey; during one of his summer breaks, he started to work with World Book Encyclopedia; in 1986, he left New Jersey with his wife and children to join World Book Encyclopedias as a division chairperson in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Carter returned to teaching at Joliet Central High School as a substitute teacher; he then became an English and Language Arts teacher at Laraway Elementary School in Joliet; he earned his master's degree in administration from Lewis University in Romeoville and became the principal of Laraway; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Carter retired as principal in 2011 and entered the real estate field as a realtor for Carter Realty Group; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Carter was a member of Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church in Princeton; after moving to Joliet, he was a member of Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church for 33 years; as a member of Brown Chapel, he served in many capacities, as a custodian, as a Sunday school teacher, and with the Christian Education Department; he led one of the first RAP groups for the teenage youth in church; he also worked with the Men's Ministry and served as a steward and on the trustee board; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Carter was passionate about his faith, his family, and education and received numerous community acknowledgment awards over the years; he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Carter was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Yvette Teres Carter; his brother, James Azah Carter; and his nephew, Keith James Carter; and

WHEREAS, Sandy Carter is survived by his wife, Mary Theresa; his son, Jonathan T. (Feleniese) Carter and granddaughters, Jocelyn and Jaria; his son, Chad J. (Carmen) Carter and grandsons, Chad Jr., Connor, and Carson; his daughter, Jessica (Terrance) Carter-Hobbs and granddaughters, Joyelle, Jayanna, and Jaleesa; his nieces, Kelly Carter, Penelope S. Edwards-Carter, and Katryna Carter; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and close friends; 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 Sandy Thomas Carter and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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