SR0204 LRB094 12342 CSA 46352 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Robert Conley Berry, a 44-year resident of
3 Chicago, passed away on May 2, 2005; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Mr. Berry was born on October 11, 1926, in
5 Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Oliver, Sr., and Beedie Jones
6 Berry; he was the fifth of seven boys; and
 
7     WHEREAS, He received his education in Hattiesburg,
8 Mississippi, and Chicago; he was known for his electrical work;
9 and
 
10     WHEREAS, He was the fifth son to serve his country in World
11 War II; five brothers served at the same time in World War II
12 and one brother was lost in action; he moved to Chicago after
13 his discharge from the armed services; and
 
14     WHEREAS, He married Betty J. Arington; he retired after 34
15 years of service from the U.S. Postal Service; as a postal
16 employee, he also served in the position of a union steward;
17 and
 
18     WHEREAS, For many years, he was a member of Celia Gregg
19 A.M.E. Church; he served in many capacities, including trustee,
20 president pro tempore, secretary of the board, local lay
21 president, and usher; he served several times as men's day
22 chairperson and was involved in many church fundraising events;
23 he most recently was a member of St. Mary's A.M.E. Church; and
 
24     WHEREAS, Active in his community, he was elected a number
25 of times as president of his block club; he was a member of the
26 Dukes Social Club; and
 
27     WHEREAS, He was a devoted father, husband, brother, and
28 grandfather who was lovingly called "Pop Berry" or "Dad"; he

 

 

SR0204 - 2 - LRB094 12342 CSA 46352 r

1 loved to cook for his family and friends and his specialties
2 included zucchini casserole, barbeque, and spaghetti with an
3 unusual touch; and
 
4     WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents and five
5 brothers, John, Oliver Jr., Edward, Eugene, and Willie; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The passing of Robert Conley Berry is felt by all
7 who knew and loved him, especially his wife of 49 years and 10
8 months, Betty; his daughters, Dora Clay and Vera Peterson; his
9 son-in-law, Terry Peterson; his granddaughters, Lisa and
10 Betty; his great-grandchildren, Wendell and Crystal; his
11 brother, Leon; his sister-in-law, Clarice Berry, his
12 brother-in-law, Joseph Arington; and a host of nieces, nephews,
13 cousins, friends, neighbors, and numerous godchildren;
14 therefore, be it
 
15     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
16 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we extend our sincerest
17 condolences to the members of his family and to all those who
18 mourn the passing of Robert Conley Berry; and be it further
 
19     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20 presented to his family as an expression of our deepest
21 sympathy.