SR0161 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0161 LRB101 11346 ALS 56822 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Shaughneysy Small Jr. of Springfield, who passed away on February 12, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Small Jr. was born in Alton to Dorothy (Burnett) and Shaughneysy Small Sr. on March 5, 1938; he attended school in Alton and later moved to Battle Creek, Michigan; he committed to his faith at the age of 21; he married Ruth Ann Penny in Battle Creek, Michigan on December 1, 1956; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Small Jr. worked at the Veteran's Medical Center in Battle Creek, Michigan; he later moved to Springfield and was employed by the Springfield Mass Transit District for over 29 years; he retired in 1997; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, Reverend Small Jr. began serving as a pastor and later as an evangelist; he became an ordained Church of God minister in 1977; he was the senior pastor of the Capital City Church of God for 20 years; he diligently pursued training in biblical studies and effective church leadership; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Small Jr. was active in the community, promoting greater race relations and objecting to policies that were detrimental to the community; he was a longtime member of the Springfield Ministerial Alliance; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Small Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, William Small; and his sister, Consuella Small; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Small Jr. is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann; his son, Gregory (Keena) Small, Jonathon (Darcel) Small, David Small, Benjamin (Laura) Small, Matthew (Jayme) Small, Josiah (Kim) Small, and Shaughneysy Small III; his brother, Wesley Eugene (Shirley) Small; his sisters, Alice Burnes, Shirley Thomas, Janet Williams, Rosemary (Terry) Ransom, and Jeanette Smith; his stepbrother, Ivory Lee; his stepsister, Constance Lang; his sister-in-law, Dee Small; his uncles, Lorenzo Small and John Wesley Small; his aunts, Ruth Gilchrese and Agusta Coleman; and his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Reverend Shaughneysy Small 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 Reverend Shaughneysy Small Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.