SR0852 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0852 LRB104 21996 LAW 38010 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Celeste Cavalier Banks Sawyer Taylor, who passed away on May 10, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Celeste Taylor was born to Willie Winslow Banks and Henrietta Odalie Bryant Banks in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 3, 1935; while residing in New Orleans, she attended Berean Center Kindergarten, McDonogh #36 Elementary School, Valena C. Jones Elementary School, Gilbert Academy, and McDonogh #35 Senior High School; and

WHEREAS, Celeste Taylor proceeded to attend Alabama State University in Montgomery and DePaul University in Chicago; during her studies, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1954; and

WHEREAS, Celeste Taylor married Eugene Sawyer Jr., and they had three children; she later married Roosevelt Taylor Jr., and she became a stepmother and step-grandmother; and

WHEREAS, Celeste Taylor committed to her faith at an early age, being first baptized as an infant at First Street Methodist Church in New Orleans; upon her request as a young adult, she received her second baptism, again at First Street Methodist Church; in Illinois, she obtained her third baptism by immersion at Wesley United Methodist Church in Harvey in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Celeste Taylor was preceded in death by her sister, Adelaide "A.J."; her first husband; her second husband; and her infant granddaughter, Shannon Eugene Sawyer; and

WHEREAS, Celeste Taylor is survived by her children, Shedrick Eugene, Sheryl Celeste, and Roderick Terrence; her children-in-law, Winston B. McGill Jr. and Cheryll Denise Aikens; her grandchildren, Jessica Celeste Sawyer, Alexandria Roswita Sawyer, Sydni Celeste Sawyer, and Roderick Terrence "Sonny" Sawyer Jr.; her great-granddaughter, Mason Rose Robinson; her stepchildren, Roseylyne, Rhoda, and Rachel; her step-grandchildren; her siblings; her nieces, nephews, and cousins; her St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church family; and her friends and neighbors; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Celeste Cavalier Banks Sawyer Taylor 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 Celeste Taylor as an expression of our deepest sympathy.