HR1177 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1177 LRB097 22122 MST 70850 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives learned with sadness of the death of Marvin Brown Bey of Chicago, who passed away on July 3, 2012; and

WHEREAS, He was born on December 2, 1940, in Chicago to Estelle (Brown) Green; he was the youngest of four children and was raised by his adopted father, Charles Bey; he married Shirley, who preceded him in death, and they had one child, Marvin Jr.; he had a second son, Vinram with Willie C. Nettle Bey, who preceded him in death; he was instrumental in the rasing of Willie's three children, Yanta, Dukeith, and Breem; and

WHEREAS, He attended Washburne Trade School where he was a member of the singing group, the Premiers; he enlisted into the U.S. Army at age 17; he attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and served in Germany as a paratrooper with an engineering unit; and

WHEREAS, He was active in the Civil Rights movement and was a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Council of Racial Equality, and the Chicago Urban League; he worked for Maryville Academy as their first African American counselor, and Job Corp, as a cab and commercial driver and a race track teller; and

WHEREAS, He continued his education by obtaining an Associate of Arts degree from Central YMCA Community College and he also took classes at the University of Chicago Lutheran School of Theology; he enjoyed the challenge and fellowship that Freemasonry offered and became a Mason in 1984 and was the last Past Master of St. Joel Lodge #34; he became a member of The Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World Great Lakes Chapter #37 in 2007; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Marvin Brown Bey has been deeply felt by many, especially his son, Vinram S. Wade Bey; his grandchildren, Kamaria, Svonne, and Marquis; his great granddaughter, Jayda; his sister, Katie Estes and her children, Wilson, Jimmy, Emma, Joe, and, John; his niece, Dionne Campbell; and his lifelong friends, Joseph Cole and Leola Person; he was preceded in death by his mother, Estelle; his adopted father, Charles; his son, Marvin Jr.; his brothers, Jack Brown and James Campbell; and his nephews, Jack and Sherome; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Marvin Brown Bey, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, 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.