SR1972 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1972 LRB100 23036 ALS 42026 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leonard Stephen Smith of Hyde Park, who passed away August 5, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Smith was born in Chicago to James Howard Lorenzo Smith Jr. and Mary Annis Toran Smith on June 24, 1947; the grandson of the late Reverend Dr. James Howard Lorenzo Smith Sr., he committed to his faith at an early age; he received his early education in the Chicago Public Schools and attended Bronzeville's Raymond Elementary School and Kozminski Elementary School, graduating from Hyde Park High School; he excelled in math and developed a lifelong appreciation for education, community involvement, and world events; he attended Wilson Junior College, now Kennedy-King College, and then transferred to Chicago State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree; he married Mary Jean Buchanan; they later divorced; in 1986, he met Dinette Johnson, and their relationship lasted until his death; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Smith began his career as a counselor in the psychiatric unit of the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital in 1972, where he served for 27 years; in 1999, he began working at Norridge Nursing Home, where he held the position of CNA until his retirement in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Smith was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chicago in Hyde Park, where he volunteered on several committees; he also volunteered for Youth, Vision and Integrity, Inc., where he played on and sponsored two basketball teams in the inaugural YVI Murray Schoolyard Basketball Classic in Hyde Park; he enjoyed playing chess, solving crossword puzzles, watching late-night talk shows and movies, playing the state lottery, and participating in recreational sports; he believed that no matter what the circumstances, family always came first; he enjoyed family gatherings and the camaraderie among his friends; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Smith was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Michael Wayne Smith, Frederick Lorenzo Smith, and James Howard Lorenzo Smith III; and his sister, Sylvia Smith Washington; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Smith is survived by his son, Noel Johnson; his special friend, Dinette Johnson; his brothers, Sidney B. (Joyce) Smith and Keith Summers; his nieces, Caroline (Norris) Smith James, Ayanna (Wayne) Smith Anderson, Aisha (Ahmed) Smith Madhi, Aliya (Torrey) Smith Brown, Marian Toran Smith, and Patricia Washington; his nephews, Dean King-Smith, Derrick Dorsey Whitehead, Dwayne Hutton, and Darryl Hutton; and his many great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leonard Stephen Smith 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 Leonard Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.