HR0475LRB101 13099 ALS 61935 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Nathan 
4"Nate" "Bobo" Smalls Jr. of Danville, who passed away on July 
59, 2019; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was born in Chatham County in 
7Savannah, Georgia to Nathan and Loretta Smalls; he moved to 
8Danville in 1969; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was a member of the Indianapolis 
10Clowns, a team in the last Negro Baseball Barnstorming League, 
11from 1965 until 1986; he played for the team longer than any 
12other member; as a left-handed pitcher, he could throw a ball 
1397 miles per hour and was known for the ability to hold four 
14baseballs at once and pitch them to four different batters with 
15one throw; he was honored by the Indianapolis Indians minor 
16league baseball team during a special night at Victory Field in 
17the summer of 2018; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Nate Smalls  was one of the founding members of the 
19Three Kings of Peace; the group volunteered daily as mentors in 
20the Danville schools in an effort to reduce violence in 
21schools; the group organized marches in the community to push 
22back against violence in the city; and
  
 
 
 
HR0475- 2 -LRB101 13099 ALS 61935 r

1    WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was one of the primary organizers of a 
2summer basketball league for young people at Garfield Park; in 
3recognition of his work with area youth, officials dedicated 
4the basketball courts in his honor in June 2017; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was a tireless advocate for the young 
6people of his community; he worked to cultivate peace and 
7eliminate violence; he loved sports and was deeply committed to 
8his family; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was preceded in death by his parents; 
10his daughter, Lukresia; his grandson, Nathan; his 
11great-granddaughter, Na'ryah; his brother, James Robe; and his 
12sister, Haddie Mae Thomas; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Nate Smalls is survived by his wife, Anita; his 
14daughters, Dana Williams, Leslie (Tyrone) Dunbar, and Breya 
15McGrown; his son, Darwin Baxter; his sisters-in-law, Bea Brown, 
16Ellen Brooks, Bertha Brandon, and Alice (Lee) Shields; his 
17favorite aunt, Angie Robe and uncle, Johnnie Brown; his aunts, 
18Patricia Ann Rutledge and Roslyn Robe; and many nieces, 
19nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones; therefore, be it
  
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
21HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
 
 
HR0475- 3 -LRB101 13099 ALS 61935 r

1we mourn the passing of Nathan "Nate" "Bobo" Smalls Jr. and 
2extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all 
3who knew and loved him; and be it further
  
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
5presented to the family of Nate Smalls as an expression of our 
6deepest sympathy.