HR1005 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1005 LRB095 20036 GRL 46477 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Roberta Calyen of Chicago, who passed away on February 12, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Roberta Calyen was born on June 5, 1926 in Lexington, Mississippi; her parents were Henry Smith and Clara Raleigh; she married Richard C. Calyen in 1947, and they were blessed with five children; and

WHEREAS, Roberta Calyen left the South for Chicago in 1946; upon arriving in Chicago, she joined and became an active member of the Mt. Hebron MBC, where she served on the usher board; she later became a member of the Christian Valley Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Roberta Calyen worked in the retail field for many years until her health intervened; and

WHEREAS, Roberta Calyen enjoyed gardening and socializing with neighbors and friends on her front porch; and

WHEREAS, Roberta Calyen was preceded in death by her sisters, Clara Newsome, Azalee Richmond, and Annie Smith; her brothers, G and Buddy Smith; her children, Shirley Deer and Ricky Calyen; and her grandson, Richard Darnell Calyen; and

WHEREAS, Roberta Calyen is survived by her brother, Sam Smith; her daughters, Alberta Frencher and Clementine Gilbert (Melvin); her son, Anthony Calyen; her grandchildren, Henry Calyen, Derrick Luckie, Reginald, Dennis (Barbara), and Darryl Deer, April Tolbert (Norvell), Donald Christopher Hardaway, Anthony Calyen, Yolanda Smith (Marcus), Nicole Payton, Darrius Calyen, and Brandon and Durran Davis; and her great-grandchildren, Myiesha, Marcus Jr., and Maurion Smith, Tony Calyen, Neika, Ranae, and Lexi Payton, Kaleb, Kanaan, and Trinity Deer, Brittany and Jaykila Hardaway, and Andrew Tolbert; and

WHEREAS, Roberta Calyen will be remembered by all who knew and loved her as a faithful, independent, and outspoken wife and mother with an unwavering faith in God; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Roberta Calyen; and be it further

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