SR0363 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leland Edwin "Smitty" Smith Sr. of Collinsville, who passed away on October 5, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Leland Smith Sr. was born on August 21, 1926, in York, Nebraska; and

WHEREAS, As a youth, Leland Smith Sr. won a state-wide table tennis tournament in Texas; he was also awarded a scholarship to play football at Baylor University; and

WHEREAS, Leland Smith Sr. served his country with pride and distinction as a member of the United States Navy aboard the USS Thornton during World War II; and

WHEREAS, In 1961, Leland Smith Sr. opened Grandpa's Jewelry, which eventually became an 18-store chain; he subsequently opened L.E. Smith Jewelers in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Leland Smith Sr. was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Leland Smith Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Leland H. and Lissette Smith; and

WHEREAS, Leland Smith Sr. is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Gloria "Gayle" Smith; his sons, Leland E. (Sherri Lowe) Smith Jr., James C. (Lisa) Smith, and Casey V. Smith; his daughters, Georgia C. (Troy) Crites, Gloria H. (Tom) Fayollat, Cindy G. (Mac) Fortenberry, June M. (Mike) Zavaglia, and Susan J. Smith; his grandchildren, Troy David Crites, Nicol Crites, Tom Fayollat, Jr., Tracy Pickford, Quinton Smith, Chanelle Smith, Lauren Smith, Cody Hopkins, Kendall Hopkins, Garrett Zavaglia, Shane Zavaglia, and Jordan Zavaglia; his great-grandchildren, Vivian Crites, Jonah Crites, Coleton Rice, Trey Fayollat, Frankie Fayollat, Chloe Pickford, and Kacey Smith; his brother, George W. Smith; his sisters, Betty Swan and Barbara Smith; and his many other relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Leland Edwin "Smitty" Smith Sr.; and be it further

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