SR1307 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1307 LRB098 21833 MST 60690 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Odell Long of Chicago, who passed away on June 24, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Odell Long was born in Eutaw, Alabama on May 8, 1931 to Henry Dunn and Eliza Horton; at age 16, she moved to Chicago and attended Wendell Phillips Academy High School; she then attended Jones Commercial where she earned her degree in secretarial administration; she was an active member of Greater Tabernacle Baptist Church in Chicago where she worked on many committees including holding positions on The Mother Board and being church secretary; she married Warren G. Long; and

WHEREAS, Odell Long worked for the United States Post Office in Personnel and Procurement as a secretary until retiring in 1990 after 40 years; after retirement, she became a travel agent with Treasure Island Travel Agency; and

WHEREAS, Odell Long touched many lives through her community activism and organizational affiliations; she spearheaded the creation of her 9600 Block Club, where she served as president, was a dedicated worker on the polls during all elections, was a court advocate, a member of CAPS, a 7th Ward Senior Board member, and worked with the homeless and GMAC, all while being sharply dressed in her heels and bags; and

WHEREAS, Odell Long always had a thirst for knowledge and to share that knowledge with others, reading every day; her shelves were packed with books and on any given day you would find her in her chair with glasses on her nose, reading, drinking coffee, and taking copious notes; if she wasn't reading, she would dial every phone number she had to check on those she cared about; and

WHEREAS, Odell Long was preceded in death by her husband; and

WHEREAS, Odell Long is survived by her 2 daughters, Sharon Smith and Beverly Long; her son, Lamar Long; grandchildren, Sean Long (Fontella), Gregory Smith, Darius Smith, Joseph Williams, and Carla Williams; 2 great- grandchildren, Nia Long and Isaac Smith; her baby sister, Beatrice Dent (Robert); a special sister, Johnny Pearl Horton; her adopted daughter, Deneen Sipp; sons, Terrell Washington and Tory Sipp; a host of special nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and many beloved friends and neighbors; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Odell Long, 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 Odell Long as an expression of our deepest sympathy.