SR0977 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0977 LRB102 27219 ECR 38853 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas "TJ" Lindsey Sewell V, who passed away on February 26, 2021; and

WHEREAS, TJ Sewell was born to Thomas Lindsey Sewell IV and Ronita Tubbs-Moore in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 4, 1990; as a child, he joined and regularly attended Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church, Abundant Life Apostolic Church, and High Point Christian Tabernacle in Smyrna, Georgia; he attended Cincinnati Public Schools and graduated from South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia in 2009; he continued his education at Kennesaw State University in Georgia and the University of Cincinnati, where he studied business; and

WHEREAS, In 2005, TJ Sewell worked at a TD Jakes Ministries convention as a personal assistant where he met Melissa Boston, someone who would act as his mentor throughout his life and help him develop his skills and talents; this chance encounter led to his eventual position as senior vice president of Wakanna for Life, a large and reputable minority-owned cannabis/CBD oil company that offers a broad spectrum of health and wellness products; he also found additional employment that varied from restaurant serving to working at the Luxottica Retail North America Headquarters; and

WHEREAS, TJ Sewell became a heavily involved board member for Cincinnati For Youth Ministries and was an integral part in the success of the 2014 Light up the Night fashion show; as a response to a calling he felt for mentorship, he established a 501(C) foundation called Black Men Vote in 2020; and

WHEREAS, As an adult, TJ Sewell attended Overflow Ministries before he left Ohio and would often return to Cincinnati just to visit his church family; throughout his life, he remained deeply committed to his faith; and

WHEREAS, TJ Sewell loved his friends and family and cherished the time he could spend with them; he never missed a family gathering or reunion and was always present and excited for anyone's big moment; he had a big personality, an unmistakable laugh, and a strong embrace; he loved to travel and have fun with his friends; and

WHEREAS, TJ Sewell was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandfather, Timothy Tubbs; his grandfather, Ronald (Lynn Johnson) Tubbs; his great-grandfather, James D. Ficklin Sr.; his great-grandmother, Sarah Frances Ficklin; and his paternal grandfather, Thomas Lindsey Sewell III; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, TJ Sewell was survived by his parents, Thomas (Janae) L. Sewell IV and Ronita (Robert) Tubbs-Moore; his maternal grandmother, Yvonne "Elove" (Earl) Tubbs; his paternal grandmother, Linda Bea; his maternal great-grandmother, Jimmie Dabbs; his brothers, Dominick Tubbs, Timothy Tubbs, Brandon Sewell, and Hunter Sewell; his sisters, Brittany Tubbs, Nadiya Sewell, and Virginia Mundy; his nephews, Brayden Tubbs, Dominick Tubbs Jr., and Bryce Bates; his nieces, Leah Sewell, Lauryn Sewell, and Ja'Nyla Watkins; his uncles, Ronald Tubbs Jr., Ronnell Beech, Christopher (Tiffany) Sewell, Stephen L. Sewell, and Keith Moore; his aunts, Keisha Tubbs, Dominique (Antwan) Allen, Lynnique Tubbs, Anise Sewell, Danielle Sewell, Dorthea Moore, and Theresa Moore; his special godmothers, Kara Graves and Christine Moore; his best friend, Dalan Carter; the love of his life, Kevorey Hartwell; his special extended mother, Melissa (Emil) Boston; brother, Tarique Rodgers; his other aunts and uncles; his cousins; and his friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Thomas "TJ' Lindsey Sewell V 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 TJ Sewell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.