SR0792 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0792 LRB094 21291 HSS 59633 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Joseph Frank Roberts of Chicago on Saturday, August 5, 2006; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Chicago on October 1, 1904, the youngest child of Margarite and Wilson Roberts; and

WHEREAS, In 1925, Mr. Roberts was united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Juanita Williams; they celebrated 70 blessed years of marriage, and she preceded him in death; together, they were the parents of Edith, Joseph Jr., and Kenneth, who also preceded him in death; his two grandchildren, Anna Maria and Gregory, who gave him unceasing loyalty and unconditional love as his constant caretakers, were second to none; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts worked in the City of Chicago and the Hyde Park area as a plumber, handyman, and house repair consultant for over eight decades; he was a Hyde Park resident for over 50 years and a sought after speaker regarding historical information on the many different and interesting neighbors of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, He received celebratory wishes for his 100th birthday from the 43rd President and First Lady, George and Laura Bush, Mayor Richard M. Daley, the President and Commissioners of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, and the United States Senate; and

WHEREAS, Recently the Chicago Newberry Library verified that Mr. Joseph Roberts was the oldest African American on record born and raised in the City of Chicago; he had a feisty attitude, an enthusiasm, and love of family and friends that will be long-remembered; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Joseph Frank Roberts has been deeply felt by many, especially his grandson, Joseph Preacely (Anna); his loving, devoted partner in crime niecy LePhaye; his nieces, Gayle, Rhyan, Marian, and Sharon; his nephews, Zellinor, Kyle, Jason, Kevin, Anthony, Darryl, Alexander, Andre, Curtis, Ricardo, Fred, and Andre; his special goddaughter by choice, Kim; and his loving and devoted granddaughters by choice, Dottie, Inez, Cynthia, Cheryl, and Elizabeth; he was also preceded in death by his nephew, Lionel; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joseph Frank Roberts, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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