SR0218 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0218 LRB102 18054 ECR 25029 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Cleophus "Bill" Sanders, Ser Nefer Khar, who passed away on April 2, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders was born to Lula Wilkerson Sanders in Macon, Mississippi on October 13, 1933; after spending his earlier years working on a farm, he and his family moved to Chicago during the Great Migration; he delivered newspapers while attending James R. Doolittle Elementary School, and his family attended West Point M.B. Church; he graduated from Wendell Phillips High School in 1952; he married Annette Allen; after their marriage ended, he married Naomi Sanders on February 22, 1969, and they became a blended family with five children; and

WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders worked as a machinist at the National Can Corporation for over 40 years; trusted by both management and his coworkers and known for his financial skills and honesty, he was tasked with keeping the financial books for the union; while working, he attended adult education classes at Chicago vocation schools and Bloom High School to advance his technical skills; and

WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders volunteered his time and energy to address injustices in his community; he was a life-long learner, and he and Naomi explored many things together, including African wisdom and health and nutrition; wanting to foster health and wellness in his community, he was the founder of the Itongo Natural Foods CoOp, which became a community gathering place and hosted classes and visiting lecturers on health and wellness topics; he was also a member of the spiritual group the Ausar Auset Society International, and he took the name Nefer Khar, which means one who sits among the rulers; and

WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders took a life changing trip to Ghana, which he considered an invaluable experience; he loved sports, especially the Chicago Bears, and jazz; he enjoyed playing cards and doing puzzles, sharp clothes, tricks, shooting pool, bowling, marbles, jokes, and laughter; and

WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon Cruikshank; his mother; and his two brothers, Ray and Leonard; and

WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders is survived by his wife of 53 years, Naomi 'Mickey' (Ser-t Reshiwa Het Herta); his five loving children, Rasheedah, Karen, Menetti and Raheem, and Carlos and Tanya; his son-in-law, William; his grandchildren, Nademah, Zakiya, Saleem, Maryam, Amanah Taqwa, Khayeem, Heru Kha Sah, Noni, Meri-t Ua, Keisha, Kwame, Kofi, Khumare, Kyle, Kiela, Kameron, Cameron, Malcolm, Mariama, Essence, Rahsann, and Todd; his 24 great-grandchildren, his six great-great-grandchildren; his nieces and nephews, Diane, Terry, Johnny, Cheryl, Bernice, Mable, Ella, Gary, and Dwayne; his siblings, Isabelle, Tarvie (Jerome), Esther, Sarah, and Charles; his Markham neighbors; and other Wayne and Wilkerson family members; and numerous 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 Cleophus "Bill" Sanders, Ser Nefer Khar, 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 Cleophus Sanders as an expression of our deepest sympathy.