SR0201 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0201 LRB096 12334 GRL 25178 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Earlean Cross Sanders of Matteson, who passed away on April 1, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Earlean Cross Sanders was born on August 13, 1939 in Chicago; her parents were Bishop Moses and Dr. Priscilla Cross; she married Bishop Robert R. Sanders on April 4, 1959; and

WHEREAS, Earlean Cross Sanders retired after over 30 years of employment as office manager of Lotsa Color printing in downtown Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Earlean Cross Sanders served as "First Lady" of the New First Church of God in Christ in Chicago Heights and the All Nations Church of God in Christ in Joliet, both of which her husband serves as pastor; as the Bishop's wife, she also presided over the Pastor's and Minister's Wives Alliance of Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Illinois of the Churches of God in Christ, of which her husband is the prelate; she faithfully led the midmorning prayer services at New First Church until her health prevented her; she served in countless positions within the church and was an excellent musician and gospel singer who shared her talents whenever called upon to serve; and

WHEREAS, Earlean Cross Sanders was fondly known as "Mother Sanders" by her many friends and family members; and

WHEREAS, Earlean Cross Sanders was preceded in death by her parents, Bishop Moses Cross Sr. and Dr. Priscilla Cross; her sisters, Catherine Cross and Beatrice (Chester) Dickerson; her brothers, Aaron and Melvin (Dolores) Cross; her grandson, Jalind Jones; and her great-granddaughter, Eternity Hall; and

WHEREAS, Earlean Cross Sanders is survived by her husband of 50 years, Bishop Robert R. Sanders; her children, Robert II (Stephanie), Dehlia (Ricky) Hatten, Tereasa, Pastor Roland Sr., and Rosalind (Pastor James) Jones; her grandchildren, Melissa Hall, LeAnton Hall, Robert Sanders III, Tonesha Sanders, Ashley Sanders, Natalean Sanders, Min. Christian Sanders, Roland Sanders Jr., Reona Sanders, Johnathan Sanders, Ryan Sanders, and Nicole Sanders; her great-grandchildren, Maya Hall, Da'Nell Hall, Madison Hall, and Avena Sanders; her brothers, Pastor Moses (Mattie) Cross Jr., Nathan (Georgia) Cross, Eld. Irvin (Evelyn) Cross Sr., Pastor Arthur (Dr. Marilyn) Cross, and Pastor James (Linda) Cross Sr.; her sisters, Madeline Cunningham and Christine (Eld. Jerome) Weatherspoon; her in-laws, Dolores Cross, Pastor Chester Dickerson, Geneva Clifton, Lillie Sanders, Margaret Sample, Mary Wright, Clara Edwards, Bishop Benjamin Sanders, Pastor Nathaniel Sanders, and James Sanders; and her numerous step-brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Earlean Cross Sanders; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Earlean Cross Sanders as an expression of our sympathy.