SR1779 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1779 LRB099 21503 MST 47755 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Smith Clayborne, Jr. of East St. Louis, who passed away on April 2, 2016; and

WHEREAS, John Clayborne, Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Ophelia Ruth (Vaughn) and John Smith Clayborne, Sr. on March 30, 1952; he graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School on June 4, 1970 and attended State Community College in the 1970s; during his youth, he was a karate enthusiast and transformed the entire family basement into a gym, teaching young men in the community the basics of karate; and

WHEREAS, John Clayborne, Jr. worked as a forklift operator at Granite City Steel, retiring after 25 years of service; and

WHEREAS, John Clayborne, Jr. was artistic and loved working with his hands; he opened Wolf Graphics, where he acted as art director; he designed and developed wood and window signs, banners, and painted landscapes and portraits on canvas; he loved reading about ancient history and how-to books and had more math books and materials than would be found in a high school library; and

WHEREAS, John Clayborne, Jr. was preceded in death by his father and his two sisters, Ruth Ann Clayborne Denny and Betty Mawiyah Clayborne; and

WHEREAS, John Clayborne, Jr. is survived by his mother, Ophelia Clayborne; his sisters, Sylvia Clayborne and Joann Clayborne; his nephew, Parker Denny; his niece, MaQyria Harris; his aunts, Vernice McGough (Benny) and Willie B. Clayborne; his uncles, Alphonzo Vaughn and Calvin Clayborne; his brother-in-law, Lowell Denny; his dear friend, Shakita Perry; and a host of cousins and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John Smith Clayborne, Jr., and 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 the family of John Clayborne, Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.