HR0496LRB102 20468 ECR 29330 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend
4Alphonso Lyons Jr. of Peoria, who passed away on September 21,
52021; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons was born in Peoria to
7Alphonso Sr. and Ellora (Derrick) Lyons on March 22, 1949; he
8graduated from Manual High School in 1967 and from Bradley
9University in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and
10Religious Studies; he later received a master's degree in
11Education and Administration from Bradley; he was ordained in
121974; he married Cheryl G. Green in 1975, and they had two
13children together; he later married Charlene Grant Coates, and
14they raised five children together; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons served as an assistant
16pastor under the guidance of Dr. Wendall R. Phillips at Mount
17Zion Baptist Church; in May of 1974, he began serving as
18interim pastor; in October of 1974, the church selected him as
19the head pastor, where he has been known for his gentleness and
20his dynamic teaching style; he also worked as a substitute
21teacher for Peoria Public Schools for many years, teaching
22several subjects including French; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons donated his time and
2talents to numerous organizations, including serving as
3chairman of the Peoria Christian Leadership Council, as
4moderator of the Central District Congress, as past president
5of the Central District Association, as chairman of the board
6of the Peoria Christian Leadership Council, as a member of the
7Peoria Baptist Ministerial Alliance, as a member of the Peoria
8Ministerial Economic Development organization, as a member of
9the Committee to Establish a Peoria Charter School, as a
10member of the Peoria Lion's Club, as a board member of the
11Manual High School Advisory Board, as past president of the
12Central District Congress, as a past corresponding secretary
13for the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois
14(2002-2008), as a past instructor for the Central District
15Congress, as a past instructor for the Baptist General State
16Convention of Illinois (1976-1979), and as a past secretary
17for the PAMA (Peoria Area Ministerial Association); he also
18was a former contributing writer to the religious column in
19the Peoria Journal Star; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Always looking for ways to make his church and
21the community more financially grounded, Reverend Alphonso
22Lyons founded Mount Zions' Effort to Equip the Community
23(METEC), a community development corporation that provides
24resources to help families and individuals with housing and
25employment; he served on METEC's board since its inception in

 

 

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12001; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons was preceded in death by
3his father and four grandchildren, Jeremiah Hayes, Deshaun
4Hayes, Jazmine "BJ" Ivy, and Brandon Grant; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons is survived by his loving
6and devoted wife, Charlene Lyons; his children, Devon Lyons,
7Frank Coates, Willie Coates, Crystal Grant, and Danielle
8Lyons; his loving mother, Ellora Lyons; his siblings, Michael
9Lyons, Don (Annie) Lyons, Curtis Lyons, Charla (Rev. James)
10Fleming, Cheryll (Keith) Boswell, and Ruthi Lyons; his 20
11grandchildren; his host of great-grandchildren; his host of
12nieces and nephews; and his other relatives, friends and the
13Mount Zion Baptist Church family; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we mourn the passing of Reverend Alphonso Lyons Jr. and extend
17our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who
18knew and loved him; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to the family of Reverend Alphonso Lyons as an
21expression of our deepest sympathy.