SR0371 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0371 LRB103 32798 LAW 62602 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lawrence Clifford "LC" Owens of Urbana, who passed away on May 28, 2023; and

WHEREAS, LC Owens was born to Curnetus Owens and Audra McLaurin in McGee, Mississippi on October 26, 1947; he attended Urbana High School, where he played football and was a part of the team that won the 1964 Big 12 Championship; he married Del Elaine in June 1992; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1970, LC Owens worked for the University of Illinois, serving as a storekeeper before being promoted to locksmith; he received one of the university's most prestigious honors, the Chancellor's Distinguished Staff Award, in 1999; after 32 and a half years of dedicated service, he retired in 2002; that same year, he began his career at Owens Family Day Care Connections, volunteering the first 16 years as executive chief, transportation, and lead positive behavior reinforcement specialist; and

WHEREAS, LC Owens was deeply involved in his community; he served as a boys' basketball coach in Urbana and was a youth football coach for over 20 years; he was a member of the Hall of Fame Committee for Urbana High School; he was the first to volunteer to cook for family gatherings, special programs, and meetings at Salem, and he previously worked with both Carle and Provena hospitals to prepare meals; he and his wife were named "honorary chefs" by the PTA of King Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, LC Owens was baptized and committed to his faith at an early age; he attended Salem Baptist Church, where he served in a plethora of church ministries, including being past president of the Usher Board and president of Laymen Ministries, assisting with the Grandma Soup Kitchen, and being a member of the Culinary Committee and the Men's Choir; he also delivered bread weekly to various community members and nonprofit organizations for over 25 years; and

WHEREAS, LC Owens was honored by the National Council of African American Men (NCAAM) when he received its Community Service Humanitarian Award in 1998; he and his wife were honored as Foster Parents of the Year in 2000; and

WHEREAS, LC Owens was known for his affable, humorous, humble, patient, and wise personality; he found passion in cooking, duty, and service; he encouraged others, especially young, Black boys, to always strive toward obtaining more knowledge; he will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, godfather, and mentor; and

WHEREAS, LC Owens is survived by his wife, Del Elaine Wilson-Owens; his daughters, Myles (Alexander) Owens, Lucinda (Glenn Sr.) Smith, and Yolanda Wilson; his son, Steven Thompson; his sisters, Martha Owens, Mary Huff, Mamie (William) Kindle, the Rev. Linda Diane Owens, and Molly Sue Davis; eight godchildren; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and his friends, Bob Ward, Evelyn Hickman, Arthalia Rogers, Dorothy Carter, and Benita Rollins-Gay; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lawrence Clifford "LC" Owens 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 LC Owens as an expression of our deepest sympathy.