SR0191 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0191 LRB102 17694 LAW 23640 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Thomas G. Henry Sr., who passed away on March 9, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. was born in West Point, Mississippi to Daniel W. and Sally L. Henry on September 11, 1936; he attended West Point schools; after relocating to Chicago, he attended Crane High School, where he played baseball and football; he married Lucille Archibald, and they had five children; he graduated from Wells Evening School; he earned his Associate in Social Science from Olive Harvey College; he attended McKinley Theological Seminary, Bishop College Institute, and Roosevelt University; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. committed to his faith around the age of 14; he was called to the ministry in 1959; he preached his trial sermon at Friendship Baptist Church under the tutelage of the late Pastor Sheldon Hall; he was appointed junior church pastor of the Mozart/First Baptist Congregational Church in 1967, where he served and ministered to children for several years; he later became the assistant pastor under the late Rev. Dr. Arthur Griffin; he became the founding pastor of Austin Baptist United Church of Christ in 1973, where he served as a dedicated pastor for 47 years until the time of his passing; he was a great leader to his flock, and he mentored and helped many people in the community; he had a vast knowledge of scripture and was known as a bible teaching preacher; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. was a firm believer in higher learning; during his 50 years of service, he started many programs to enhance the lives of young people in the Austin community; he founded the Austin Christian School and served as executive director of the Austin Baptist UCC Day Care & Head Start Program; he provided summer jobs, day camp, and food pantries; he also served as a truant officer for Chicago Public Schools, as director of the youth program for the Chicago Archdiocese, and as a prison chaplain for the Cook County Sheriff's Department; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. was known for his sense of humor and his smile that always started in his eyes; he had a beautiful tenor voice, loved music and singing, and had been a member of the Thompson Community Singers; he was an avid reader; he enjoyed watching the news, traveling, and sports, especially baseball; he will be remembered as a kind, generous man who dedicated his life to serving others; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Willie McLaurin and Rosa Lavine; and his brothers, Charles Henry, Booker T. Henry, and John Henry; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. is survived by his brother, Daniel Henry (Lois); his sisters, Mary Sykes and Madelyn Williams; his sister-in-law, Bobbi Henry; his children, Thomas G. Henry Jr., Patrice McClellan, LaShaun Crump (Todd), Michael Henry (Veranda), Bridget Henry, and Jelisa Matthews; his grandchildren, Demetrius Haywood, Byron Turner (Aiesha), Omari McClellan (Charlotte), Shani Douglas (Danyale), Zachary Henry, Blake Henry (Celeste), Zoie Henry, Drew Henry, and Jaliah Matthews; 14 great-grandchildren; other children he considered and raised as his own; his best friend, Ernesto Scott and his extended family; the members of Austin Baptist United Church of Christ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Rev. Thomas G. Henry Sr. 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 Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.