HR1397 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1397 LRB095 21699 KXB 51909 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Donald Woods, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Donald Woods was born March 19, 1950 in Chicago to the late Elder James Lee and Willie Rosene Woods; Donald and his twin Ronald were the 9th and 10th of the 17 children born to this union; his twin, Ronald Woods, lived to the age of 15 months old and preceded him in death; his sister, Clara Smith, also preceded him in death; and

WHEREAS, Donald was born into the Philadelphia Church of God in Christ where his grandfather was a member; he later united and became a charter member of the New St. Mary Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Harrison Bolton and later joined the St James Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Willie J. Campbell; Donald served faithfully as a Deacon at St. James and was committed to his church; and

WHEREAS, Donald received his education in the Chicago Public Schools attending Robert Burns Elementary, Farragut, and Prosser High Schools; he furthered his education by also attending and completing classes towards his engineering degree at Wright Junior College; Donald was first and foremost a dad; three of his nine children preceded him in death, Ronald Flowers, Donald Flowers, and Ronald Woods; in July 1986, while working at Hefferan Elementary, Donald became acquainted with Mr. John Eggleston, a resident of the block and was introduced to Mr. Egggleston's daughter, Joyce; Donald married the love of his life, Joyce Ann Woods on July 22, 1997; and

WHEREAS, Donald worked in various capacities for the Chicago Board of Education, ranging from custodian to his last position of Chief Engineer for Bouchet Academy; this includes his tenure at the following schools: Charles E. Hughes, Mason CPC, Helen M. Hefferan, DuSable HS, Leif Erickson Academy, Oscar Mayer, Sumner Academy, Nathan Goldblatt, and Bouchet Academy; and

WHEREAS, Donald served as an Alcohol and Addiction Counselor for Lutheran Family Services for 21 years; he was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for the past 22 1/2 years; his affiliations include the following clubs and organizations: Wanderers 37, Evans Avenue, West Section Club, Real Folks, AA in Search of Serenity, Farragut HS Alumni Reunion Committee, and the "HitMen" softball team; and

WHEREAS, Donald was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend; he leaves to celebrate his transition, his wife Joyce; his children, Chrisonia (Robert) Butler, LayShonne (John) Quinn, Tracey Flowers, Michael Woods, Karmon Robinson, and Shirley Woods; his godson, Patrick J. Brooks; his grandchildren, Tatiara Flowers, Jhonne Quinn, Derrick Moore, Jr., Tamya Hubbard, Shakira Robinson, Mandizaya (Ziggy) Robinson, Diamani Woods, and Morgan Butler; his father-in-law, John Eggleston; his siblings, Rosie Evans, Doris (Clifford) Lauderdale, James Woods, Jr., Susie Norris, Mary (George) Lowery, Ruth Griffith, Marvin Woods, Beverly Towner, Linda Woods, Rosalyn Woods, Rosetta Jackson, Michael Woods, Gerald Woods, and Mark Woods; his four aunts, Sarah Johnson, Dorothy Agers, Audrey Woods, and Flossie Carruthers; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Donald Woods; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Donald Woods as a symbol of our sympathy.