HR0687 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0687 LRB094 13079 CSA 47929 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Russell DeBerry, Sr. of Hillsboro on July 9, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DeBerry was born December 24, 1941, in Ridgeley, Tennessee, to Doris DeBerry and Geneva (Evans) Whitfield; he had 11 siblings, James Whitfield, Herman Whitfield, Nolan Whitfield, Billy Whitfield, Wallace Whitfield, Cassandra Chairs, Faye Jackson, Marquetta Rush, Betty Ann Chappel, Wilma Barner, and Patricia Baldwin; and

WHEREAS, He grew up in Cairo, moved to Mt. Vernon, and later moved to Hillsboro in 1980; he married Gesta Herrod on May 5, 1964 in Cairo; and

WHEREAS, He was retired from Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro, where he had worked as a Correctional Officer; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the NAACP, the United Front Labor Local 1137, Forest of Lebanon Masonic Lodge 71, where he was a 32nd Degree Mason, and Morning Star Baptist Church in Cairo; he also attended St. James Baptist Church in Hillsboro; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Russell DeBerry, Sr. is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Gesta; his children, Druscilla DeBerry, Carmen Dalenzurla, Marcus DeBerry, Russell DeBerry, Jr., Rachel Davis, Jerri Lynn DeBerry, and Demetrious DeBerry; his 15 grandchildren, four of whom he and Gesta raised, Tamara DeBerry, Tameka DeBerry, Jamel Thompson, and Darius Clark; his special grandchild, Jade Nicole DeBerry; his three great-grandchildren; his special niece, Farica Grantham; and his special friend, Brad Fricke; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Russell DeBerry, Sr. and extend to his family and friends our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.