SR0731LRB101 14757 MST 63715 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Annette Butler, who passed away on 
4September 30, 2019; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Annette Butler was born in Chicago to Ozell and 
6Earl Walter Smith on September 14, 1938; she attended St. 
7Joseph Grammar School and sang with the choir at Mt. Sinai 
8Baptist Church; she graduated from Lucy Flower High School and, 
9along with some of her siblings, formed the notable singing 
10group, The Crusaders; she attended Woodrow Wilson Jr. College 
11(Kennedy–King College), where she studied music; she married 
12Jerry Butler, a fellow member of The Crusaders,  on June 21, 
131959; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, While performing in various venues across the 
15city, Annette Butler spent time working as a nurse's aide for 
16Presbyterian St. Luke Hospital; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, As her husband's career as a solo recording artist 
18and songwriter flourished, Annette Butler became involved with 
19several charitable causes; she joined The Better Halves, a club 
20comprised of many famous artists and wives of celebrities who 
21worked together to  raise money for charities across Chicago; 
22and
  
 
 
 
SR0731- 2 -LRB101 14757 MST 63715 r

1    WHEREAS, Annette Butler always put family first; she opened 
2her home to countless family members and friends; she was a 
3true artist with many talents and enjoyed painting, 
4calligraphy,  designing clothes, and even creating pieces of art 
5from pistachio shells; she had a wonderful sarcastic sense of 
6humor; she was a friend to all, humble, and full of love; she 
7had a strong faith and found great peace and comfort in 
8Buddhism; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Annette Butler was preceded in death by her 
10parents; her sister, Mable; and her brother, Benny; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Annette Butler is survived by her husband of 60 
12years, Jerry; her sons, Randall (Raeshannon) and Anthony; her 
13grandchildren, Tykeisha, Malik, and Jeriel; her 
14great-grandchild, Tristan; her brother, Earl; her sister, 
15Susan; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, 
16and friends; therefore, be it
  
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
18ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
19Annette Butler and extend our sincere condolences to her 
20family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
21further
  
 
 
 
SR0731- 3 -LRB101 14757 MST 63715 r

1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
2presented to  the family of  Annette Butler as an expression of 
3our deepest sympathy.