SR0158 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0158 LRB102 17636 LAW 23412 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas Lindsey "TJ" Sewell V, who passed away on February 26, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Sewell V was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Thomas Lindsey Sewell IV and Ronita Tubbs-Moore on December 4, 1990; he attended Cincinnati Public Schools, where he earned numerous academic achievements; he graduated from South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia in 2009; he continued his education at Kennesaw State University in Georgia and the University of Cincinnati, where he studied business; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Sewell V was recognized for his gift of gab and his diligence by Melissa Boston at the TD Jakes Convention in 2005, where he was a personal assistant; over the next 15 years, he received business mentoring from her, which led him to becoming the senior vice president of the minority-owned, cannabis/CBD oil company WaKanna for Life; and

WHEREAS, Due to his extreme work ethic over the years, Thomas Sewell V found additional employment opportunities that varied from restaurant serving to working at Luxottica Retail's North America headquarters; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Sewell V was committed to mentoring others and giving back to his community; he served as a board member for Cincinnati For Youth Ministries; he played an integral part in the success of the Light Up the Night charity fashion show in 2014; he founded the 501(C) foundation Black Men Vote in 2020; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Sewell V committed to his faith at an early age at the P.A.W. Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2000; as a child, he joined and attended the Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Cincinnati, the Abundant Life Apostolic Church in Cincinnati, and the High Point Christian Tabernacle in Smyrna, Georgia; as an adult, he attended Overflow Ministries before leaving Ohio; he often returned to Cincinnati to visit his church family; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Sewell V served his family with his constant presence and his love; he celebrated everyone's big moments and never missed attending a family gathering, reunion, or event where he was able to spend quality time with his family and friends; he attended to the needs of his grandmother and great-grandmother while they were ill and recovering from surgery; he was committed to supporting his nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Sewell V was known for his laugh, his strong embrace, his faithfulness, and his selflessness; he loved traveling and having fun with his friends; he will be remembered as the sunshine that lightened any dark days that his family and friends may have encountered; he will be missed by many; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Sewell V was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandfather, Timothy Tubbs; his grandfather, Ronald Tubbs (Lynn Johnson, living); his great-grandfather, James D. Ficklin Sr.; his great-grandmother, Sarah Frances Ficklin; and his paternal grandfather, Thomas Lindsey Sewell III; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Sewell V is survived by his parents, Thomas L. Sewell IV (Janae) and Ronita Tubbs-Moore (Robert); his maternal grandmother, Yvonne "Elove" Tubbs (Earl); his paternal grandmother, Linda Bea; his maternal great-grandmother, Jimmie Dabbs; his brothers, Dominick Tubbs, Timothy Tubbs, Brandon Sewell, and Hunter Sewell; his sisters, Brittany Tubbs, Nadiya Sewell, and Virginia Mundy; his nephews, Brayden Tubbs, Dominick Tubbs Jr., and Bryce Bates; his nieces, Leah Sewell, Lauryn Sewell, and Ja'Nyla Watkins; his uncles, Ronald Tubbs Jr., Ronnell Beech, Christopher Sewell (Tiffany), Stephen L. Sewell, and Keith Moore; his aunts, Keisha Tubbs, Dominique Allen (Antwan), Lynnique Tubbs, Anise Sewell, Danielle Sewell, Dorthea Moore, and Theresa Moore; his special godmothers, Kara Graves and Christine Moore; his best friend, Dalan Carter; the love of his life, Kevorey Hartwell; his extended mother, Melissa Boston (Emil); his extended brother, Tarique Rodgers; and a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Thomas Lindsey "TJ" Sewell V 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 Thomas Sewell V as an expression of our deepest sympathy.