SR0563 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0563 LRB101 13108 ALS 61946 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Nathan "Nate" "Bobo" Smalls Jr. of Danville, who passed away on July 9, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was born in Chatham County in Savannah, Georgia to Nathan and Loretta Smalls; he moved to Danville in 1969 after meeting his wife, Anita, at Danville Stadium; and

WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was a star pitcher for the Indianapolis Clowns, a team in the last Negro Baseball Barnstorming League, from 1965 until 1986; in one legendary game, he sent all of his fielders to the dugout and proceeded to strike out the side; during barnstorming tours, he and his teammates pooled their $3-per-person-per-day meal allowance to buy enough bread, bologna, and peanut butter to feed everyone; and

WHEREAS, When his baseball days were over, Nate Smalls remained in Danville and worked at a grain-processing plant for 34 years; and

WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was known as one of the Three Kings of Peace, a trio of men who worked together to reduce violence in city schools and the community; the group got its start by organizing regular peace marches in troubled neighborhoods, asking young people to choose peace over violence; during the school year, the Three Kings of Peace made frequent visits to North Ridge Middle and South View Upper Elementary schools and eventually Danville High School, monitoring the students and encouraging them to make positive choices in life; and

WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was one of the primary organizers of a summer basketball league for young people at Garfield Park, and two basketball courts were dedicated in his honor; he volunteered to run the gymnasium at the Boys and Girls Club, and when the Club's basketball league started, he served as a coach and volunteer referee; he will best be remembered as an ambassador of peace for the young people of Vermilion County; and

WHEREAS, Nate Smalls was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lukresia; his grandson, Nathan; his great-granddaughter, Na'ryah; his brother, James Robe; and his sister, Haddie Mae Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Nate Smalls is survived by his wife, Anita; his daughters, Dana Williams, Leslie (Tyrone) Dunbar, and Breya McGrown; his son, Darwin Baxter; his sisters-in-law, Bea Brown, Ellen Brooks, Bertha Brandon, and Alice (Lee) Shields; his favorite aunt, Angie Robe, and uncle, Johnnie Brown; his aunts, Patricia Ann Rutledge and Roslyn Robe; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones; 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 Nathan "Nate" "Bobo" Smalls 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 Nate Smalls as an expression of our deepest sympathy.