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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois
3 learned with regret of the death of Joseph Frank Roberts of
4 Chicago on Saturday, August 5, 2006; and
 
5     WHEREAS, He was born in Chicago on October 1, 1904, the
6 youngest child of Margarite and Wilson Roberts; and
 
7     WHEREAS, In 1925, Mr. Roberts was united in holy matrimony
8 to the love of his life, Juanita Williams; they celebrated 70
9 blessed years of marriage, and she preceded him in death;
10 together, they were the parents of Edith, Joseph Jr., and
11 Kenneth, who also preceded him in death; his two grandchildren,
12 Anna Maria and Gregory, who gave him unceasing loyalty and
13 unconditional love as his constant caretakers, were second to
14 none; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts worked in the City of Chicago and the
16 Hyde Park area as a plumber, handyman, and house repair
17 consultant for over eight decades; he was a Hyde Park resident
18 for over 50 years and a sought after speaker regarding
19 historical information on the many different and interesting
20 neighbors of Chicago; and
 
21     WHEREAS, He received celebratory wishes for his 100th
22 birthday from the 43rd President and First Lady, George and
23 Laura Bush, Mayor Richard M. Daley, the President and
24 Commissioners of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, and
25 the United States Senate; and
 
26     WHEREAS, Recently the Chicago Newberry Library verified
27 that Mr. Joseph Roberts was the oldest African American on
28 record born and raised in the City of Chicago; he had a feisty
29 attitude, an enthusiasm, and love of family and friends that
30 will be long-remembered; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, The passing of Joseph Frank Roberts has been
2 deeply felt by many, especially his grandson, Joseph Preacely
3 (Anna); his loving, devoted partner in crime niecy LePhaye; his
4 nieces, Gayle, Rhyan, Marian, and Sharon; his nephews,
5 Zellinor, Kyle, Jason, Kevin, Anthony, Darryl, Alexander,
6 Andre, Curtis, Ricardo, Fred, and Andre; his special
7 goddaughter by choice, Kim; and his loving and devoted
8 granddaughters by choice, Dottie, Inez, Cynthia, Cheryl, and
9 Elizabeth; he was also preceded in death by his nephew, Lionel;
10 therefore, be it
 
11     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
12 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13 Joseph Frank Roberts, and we extend our sincere condolences to
14 his family, his friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
15 it further
 
16     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17 presented to his family as an expression of our deepest
18 sympathy.