HR0261 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0261 LRB102 18301 MST 26029 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of longtime Peoria resident Cleveland "Sonny" Gordon Sr., who passed away on April 21, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. was born in Money, Mississippi to Pleasant Gordon Sr. and Mable Banks Gordon; early in his life, he moved to Peoria, where he was raised with four siblings; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. married Annie Jo Hunter Gordon in 1969 and remained married to her until her passing in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. married Presiding Elder Elaine P. Gordon in 2014 and remained married to her until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. was educated in the Peoria public school system and attended Illinois Community College, taking courses in environmental science; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. worked at Pabst Brewery for 13 years until the brewery closed in 1981; after 20 years at the Peoria Disposal Company, he retired as an environmental officer; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. was baptized in the creek at age nine, was a 60-year member of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, and joined Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2014 to serve with his wife; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. served as a faithful trustee of Ward Chapel, an active member of the Ministers, Spouses, Widow, and Widowers Organization, the Lay Organization, and the Sons of Allen; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Mabel Banks Gordon and Pleasant Gordon Sr.; his siblings, Willie L. Gordon and Pleasant Gordon Jr.; and a son, Joel Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Cleveland Gordon Sr. is survived by his wife, Presiding Elder Elaine P. Gordon; his siblings, Georgia Mae Little and Sylvester (Roberta) Gordon; his children, Jonathon Johnson, Cleveland L. (Jamie) Gordon, Jamal Gordon, Joseph Murphy, Howard (Aisha) Walters, Shando Faulkner (Don) Harris, Chantay (Corey) Gray, Antoinette (Cornelius) Donald, Shelleye Murphy, and Jehan (Derrick) Booth; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Cleveland "Sonny" Gordon Sr., remember his faith, commend his service to his community, 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 Cleveland Gordon Sr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.