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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Rev. Sylvester Smith Jr.; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith was born in Nita Yuma, Mississippi to
5Leona Dantzler and Sylvester Smith Sr. on October 31, 1926; as
6a young man, he relocated to Chicago and settled in the
7Bronzeville neighborhood; he joined the 44th St. Baptist
8Church, where he served on the usher board; he married Naomi
9Hill in May of 1949 and served in the military from 1954 to
101956; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith worked for the Smith Transfer Company
12(Huber & Huber) for 42 years; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith graduated from Hope Bible College; in
141965, he was elected pastor of the newly-formed New Pisgah M.B.
15Church, which grew over the years to include successful day
16care and senior housing; he made educating children a priority
17and advocated for daycare and Headstart funding and
18legislation; he served as a mentor at Englewood High School and
19enjoyed being a positive role model and frequently gave the
20students motivational and inspiring talks; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith was affectionately known as "Uncle

 

 

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1Junior"; he loved to repair cars and attended the Greer
2Mechanic School; he was elected president of the Baptist
3Minister's Alliance of Chicago and Vicinity for two terms; he
4loved to attend the yearly National Baptist Conventions; he was
5a world traveler and visited Israel, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the
6Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and most major cities in the
7United States; he enjoyed taking cruises and was his children's
8biggest fan; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith was preceded in death by his wife of 62
10years, Naomi; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith is survived by his children, Stanley
12(Ruthie), Gloria, Denise, Pastor Wayne (Toi), and David
13(Rhonda); his sister, Ethel Wilson; his brother, Albert Smith;
14his grandchildren, Latreese, Bryan, Cha-chi, Chasty, and
15Adoria; and his great-grandchildren, Devon, Brayden, and
16Myles; therefore, be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
18ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
19Rev. Sylvester Smith Jr. and extend our sincere condolences to
20his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
21further
 
22    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

 

 

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1presented to the family of Rev. Smith as an expression of our
2deepest sympathy.