SR1264 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1264 LRB102 20066 LAW 28911 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ethel Lee Chestnut-Sharkey, who passed away on August 30, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Ethel Chestnut-Sharkey was born to Willie and Cora Hunter-Chestnut in Drew, Mississippi on October 20, 1933; she was educated in Sunflower County, Mississippi; she married Howard Sharkey Sr. in 1950, and they had 11 children; and

WHEREAS, Ethel Chestnut-Sharkey held a variety of jobs to provide for her family; she worked as a cafeteria clerk for the Chicago Public Schools; she retired as the salad chef from The Exchange Bank; after retirement, she worked part time with Helping Home; and

WHEREAS, Ethel Chestnut-Sharkey committed to her faith at an early age at the Second Baptist Church in Blue Lake, Mississippi, and she was baptized in the river; she joined the Fellowship M.B. Church on November 5, 1958, where she belonged to the Inspirational Choir and then The Senior Choir; she was presented with the Anchor Award for her over 60-year membership; and

WHEREAS, Ethel Chestnut-Sharkey was known for wearing many hats over the course of her life, and she was called by many endearing names, including Madear, Momma, Granny, Big Granny, Hilda, Beulah, Sister, and friend; and

WHEREAS, Ethel Chestnut-Sharkey was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Katherine Pittman, James Chester Woods, Virgie Jones, Bessie Ray, Maggie Mae Greene, Cora Palmer, and Charles Chestnut; her husband, Howard Sharkey Sr.; and her child, Jessie Lee; and

WHEREAS, Ethel Chestnut-Sharkey is survived by her sons, Howard Sharkey Jr. (Eurnice), Rev. James W. Sharkey (the late Deborah), Willie Earl Sharkey, Edward Earl Sharkey (Lorraine), Barry Allen Sharkey (Gwen), Percy T. Sharkey (Dorothy), Larry D. Chestnut, Percy M. Sharkey (Sheriot), and Rev. Neko Sharkey (Catherice); her daughters, Jessie Mae Sharkey, Margaret Banks, Vanessa Sharkey, Rochelle Sharkey, Cynthia Richardson, Carmenseda J. Sharkey, Navita (Cetris) Ivy, and Carlotta Hoy; her 53 grandchildren; her 37 great-grandchildren; her great-great-grandchild; her brother, Luther Chestnut (Flora); Ann Chestnut; Sue McElroy; Dorothy Holloway; Nancy Brown; her brothers in-law, James Sharkey, Alfred Sharkey (Dorothy), and Michael Johnson; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; her special friends, Loudella Evans-Reid, Florida Foulks, Wanda, Regina Frazier, Martha Young, Helena Daniels, Chante, Davita Trum, and Renee Bradford; and her Fellowship Church family of 62 years; 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 Ethel Lee Chestnut-Sharkey 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 Ethel Chestnut-Sharkey as an expression of our deepest sympathy.