SR0978 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0978 LRB100 14764 MST 29584 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Delores "Lois" B. Graham, who passed away on September 9, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Lois Graham was born on September 19, 1947 to James Beadin and Dovie Leon Conway, who later married Albert Cheeks; and

WHEREAS, Lois Graham married Columbus Graham in 1965; to this union, five children were born; and

WHEREAS, Lois Graham loved spending time with her children, passing on her gifts and talents to them, including playing the piano, cooking, and most especially, singing; and

WHEREAS, Lois Graham worked for the United States Post Office, and later for Lord and Taylor on Michigan Avenue in Chicago; it was there that she acquired her taste for "the nice things" in life; and

WHEREAS, When Lois Graham was younger, she worshiped at the Bethlehem Healing Temple; she later joined Grace Deliverance Tabernacle and then the Apostolic Church of God; and

WHEREAS, Lois Graham and her family extended deep roots into their community, giving of their time and talents; her daughter, Deborah L. Graham, served as 78th District Representative in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 to 2010, and in the Chicago City Council as Alderman of the 29th Ward from 2010 to 2015; and

WHEREAS, Ten days after Lois Graham's passing, her friends and family gathered on her 70th birthday to celebrate her life with a balloon release in her honor; and

WHEREAS, Lois Graham was preceded in death by her father, Albert Cheeks, and her biological father, James Beadin; and

WHEREAS, Lois Graham is survived by her mother, Dovie Leon Cheeks; her husband, Columbus; her children, Eddie, Roger, Deborah, Wayne, and Columbus; her brothers, Albert, Ronald, and Donnell; her sister, Alice (Joe); 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one niece; and numerous relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Delores "Lois" B. Graham, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Delores "Lois" B. Graham as an expression of our deepest sympathy.