SR0771 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0771 LRB093 24279 CSA 54553 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Minister Cleveland Gray, Sr., of Alton on December 29, 2004; and

WHEREAS, The fourth child of the late Willie Tom and Susie Mae (Johnson) Gray, he was born February 10, 1930, in Wetumpka, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, A graduate of Alton High School, he attended college and worked at Chemetco as a plant supervisor, retiring after 22 years of service; he was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having served as a lance corporal in the Korean War; in 1957, he became a member of St. James Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years and was serving as associate minister of the church at the time of his death; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Cleveland Gray, Jr.; his sister, Betty Silas; and his brothers, Thomas W. and David Gray; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Minister Cleveland Gray, Sr., will be felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife, the former Fannie M. Little; his sons, Kenneth Edwin Gray, Sr., James Edward Clark Sr. (Cora), and Alex Lamont Gray; his daughters, Tamara Gray-McKinney and Michelle Gray-Clemons; his grandchildren; his great-grandchildren, Aaron Gray and Daela Gray; his sisters, W. Ruth Robinson and Nettie Turner; his brothers, James (Barbara) Gray and Willie (Ruby) Gray; his daughter-in-law, Serena Gray; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Minister Cleveland Gray, Sr., and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.