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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to
3recognize the life of Otis J. Neal of Paris, who passed away on
4May 18, 1968; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Otis Neal first served his country in 1916 during
6the Mexican Border Expedition, then in World War I, where he
7fought in the battles of Lorraine and Aisne, and again in World
8War II, where he served in the European Theater and Northern
9Africa; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Otis Neal was born in Pleasureville, Kentucky on
11October 11, 1898 to James Henry and Elizabeth (nee Coleman)
12Neal, but moved with his family to Paris at a young age, and he
13would remain a resident the rest of his life; he married Mary
14Jean England; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Otis Neal's descendants include a daughter,
16Sandra Neal Darby; 2 granddaughters, Deedra Darby Jones and
17Chastity Darby Arrasmith; and 3 great-grandchildren, Jordan
18Arrasmith, Mekenzie Arrasmith, and Jada Jones; and
 
19    WHEREAS, At the time of Otis Neal's passing, he was
20survived by a sister, Hattie Mae Thomas; he was preceded in
21death by 3 brothers and 2 sisters; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Otis Neal was a member of the local American
2Legion post, where he proudly served as a member of the Honor
3Guard; he was affiliated with Grace AME Church; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Until recently, the grave of Otis Neal has been
5obscure and was not befitting of his dedication and
6accomplishments as a soldier in the 8th Illinois National Guard -
7 a unit comprised of African-American soldiers; on May 24,
82014 he will be the focus of a military tribute at Edgar
9Cemetery in Paris where a new monument will be unveiled in his
10honor; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the life
13of Otis J. Neal and honor his service to his country; and be it
14further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the family of Otis Neal in honor of his service.