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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Rev.
4Sylvester Smith Jr.; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith was born in Nita Yuma, Mississippi to
6Leona Dantzler and Sylvester Smith Sr. on October 31, 1926; as
7a young man, he relocated to Chicago and settled in the
8Bronzeville neighborhood; he joined the 44th St. Baptist
9Church, where he served on the usher board; he married Naomi
10Hill in May of 1949 and served in the military from 1954 to
111956; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith worked for the Smith Transfer Company
13(Huber & Huber) for 42 years; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith graduated from Hope Bible College; in
151965, he was elected pastor of the newly-formed New Pisgah M.B.
16Church, which grew over the years to include successful day
17care and senior housing; he made educating children a priority
18and advocated for daycare and Headstart funding and
19legislation; he served as a mentor at Englewood High School and
20enjoyed being a positive role model and frequently gave the
21students motivational and inspiring talks; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith was affectionately known as "Uncle
2Junior"; he loved to repair cars and attended the Greer
3Mechanic School; he was elected president of the Baptist
4Minister's Alliance of Chicago and Vicinity for two terms; he
5loved to attend the yearly National Baptist Conventions; he was
6a world traveler and visited Israel, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the
7Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and most major cities in the
8United States; he enjoyed taking cruises and was his children's
9biggest fan; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith was preceded in death by his wife of 62
11years, Naomi; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Rev. Smith is survived by his children, Stanley
13(Ruthie), Gloria, Denise, Pastor Wayne (Toi), and David
14(Rhonda); his sister, Ethel Wilson; his brother, Albert Smith;
15his grandchildren, Latreese, Bryan, Cha-chi, Chasty, and
16Adoria; and his great-grandchildren, Devon, Brayden, and
17Myles; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we mourn the passing of Rev. Sylvester Smith Jr. and extend our
21sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
22and loved him; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Rev. Smith as an expression of our
3deepest sympathy.