SR0114 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0114 LRB098 10908 MST 41439 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Elder Earl McClenny Whitehead, who passed away on February 11, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Elder Earl Whitehead was born in Marion, Alabama, to Robert and Marilla (Moore) Whitehead; he attended Alabama public schools, The Chicago Baptist Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, The Charles Harrison Mason Theological Bible College, and The Gaston Bible School; he was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church in Marion, Alabama; he married LaVerne Darlene on September 18, 1955; and

WHEREAS, Elder Earl Whitehead moved to North Chicago to follow in his brother Robert's footsteps and become a barber; he attended Illinois Barber College in Chicago and worked in his brother's barbershop in North Chicago; he served in the U.S. Army as a medic in the Korean War, worked at Johns Manville, North Chicago Refiners & Smelters, and as a nurses aide in local hospitals, all while continuing to work as a barber in Robert's shop; he and his brother, John, eventually opened up their own barbershop in Waukegan; and

WHEREAS, Elder Earl Whitehead served as pastor of Mount Olive Church of God in Christ in Chicago; he served as assistant pastor and Sunday School Superintendent at Rehoboth Church of God in Christ in Waukegan; he served the Lake County community for over 50 years and received numerous awards and commendations for his service; in 2003 the Waukegan City Council named a street the Rev. Earl Whitehead Drive; he would deliver motivational talks to students at Waukegan high schools and provide outreach ministries at the Lake County Correctional facility; and

WHEREAS, Elder Earl Whitehead was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Walter Mae Harper, Mattie J. Hopkins, Robert C. Whitehead, James B. Whitehead, Eunice Hatch, William Whitehead, Josephine Tubbs, John W. Whitehead, Elma McKinney, and Blanch Curry; and

WHEREAS, Elder Earl Whitehead is survived by his wife of 57 years, LaVerne; his children, James (Brenda) Whitehead, Jeffrey (Euna) Whitehead, Keith (Jenny) Whitehead, and Renee Whitehead; his grandchildren, LaMar, Elexanderia, Jeffery Jr., Jordan, Lauren (Reed Swier, fiance), Tekoa, Jasmine, LaVeedra, Eboni, and Briana; his great-grandchildren, Brendan, Darius, Izaiah, Lexus, Jae-onna, LaMaiiya, Lela, DaKara, Nyela, and Anyah; his sister, Archie Russell; his sister-in-law, Elaine Headds; his nieces, nephews, and cousins; four people who were like family, Shirley Buchanan, Terry Harris, Joe Pitts, and Jay (Jay5) Johnson; his God children, Supt. Mark A. Jones and Eleanor Lovett; his loving Rehoboth family; his life-long friend in Christ, Pastor H. Eugene Jones Sr.; and a host of close friends including Pete (The Tramp) Yarbough, Roland Harper, and T.R. Sterns; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Elder Earl McClenny Whitehead, and we 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 Elder Earl Whitehead as an expression of our deepest sympathy.