SR0682 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0682 LRB100 13326 MST 27871 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Willie Pearson Sr. of Chicago, who passed away on June 24, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Willie Pearson was born in Starksville, Mississippi to John "Bud" and Geneva Pearson on June 27, 1933; he was educated at Ebenezer Elementary School and was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church; his first job was working alongside his father at Mississippi State University; he married Sallie Hale in Starksville in 1952, and in 1955, they settled in Maywood; and

WHEREAS, Willie Pearson moved his family to Chicago, where he retired from General Grinding in Addison as a truck driver and foreman after almost 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Willie Pearson loved westerns, a good cup of coffee, a slice of pound cake every morning, and southern food; he never used a microwave and always had a tin pan available to heat his food on top of the stove; his favorite meal was greens, beans, and a pan of cornbread; he was affectionately known as "Pig", "Champ", and "Papa Champ"; he was a big fan of the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat, the Golden State Warriors, and the Mississippi State University football team; he enjoyed having big family meals, taking road trips to Starksville, cards, blues, and his daily talks with his brother, "Skeet"; and

WHEREAS, Willie Pearson was proceeded in death by his parents; his wife, Sallie Pearson; his son, Willie Jr.; and his sibling, L.Q "Sonny" Pearson; and

WHEREAS, Willie Pearson is survived by his children, Kathye Kelley, Wanda "Tank" Hill (Gerald), Pamela Albert (David), Carmen Pearson, and Cedric Johnson (Annie); his daughter-in-law, Ora Pearson; his grandchildren, Tania Pearson, Charles Kelley Jr. (Amy), Korey Kelley (Tiffany), and Steven C. Mann; his brothers, Tommie Lee "Skeet" Williams, Stacey Fox (Paris), and Steve Fox; his step-sister, Doris Moore; his great-great-grandchildren, Serenity, Laila, Avery, and Malia; his god-children, Barbara Lightford, Jerry Sorrell, Carla Johnson, and Carlton Reives; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and his great-grand-dog, Coco; therefore, be it

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