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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Bryant Martin of Springfield, who 
4passed away on April 28, 2021; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Bryant Martin was born in Plantersville, Alabama 
6to Nettie and Jessie Martin on September 10, 1924; he served in 
7the U.S. Army during World War II; he worked alongside a 
8traveling circus and visited major capital cities; as the 
9circus came and went from Springfield, he stayed to build his 
10home; he married Geneva Ruth Work, and they raised six 
11children; he later married Bertha Burton, and they raised six 
12children; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Bryant Martin was a trained welder, and he worked 
14at Allis Chalmers/Fiat Allis and as a jack-of-all trades; he 
15was known as the on-call, go-to repairman for various 
16renovations with the church, the church family of Greater All 
17Nations Tabernacle, and the surrounding community; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, For touching the lives of many, Bryant Martin was 
19honored by the City of Springfield with a proclamation naming 
20September 10, 2014 as Bryant "Junior" Martin Day; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, Bryant Martin was deeply committed to his faith; 
 
 
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1while growing up, he attended churches in Plantersville, 
2Marion, and Birmingham, Alabama; he was a member of Greater 
3All Nations Tabernacle in Springfield, where he served as a 
4deacon; he gained his physical and spiritual strength from his 
5faith; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Bryant Martin enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing 
7dominos and cards, and spending time with his family; he 
8constantly traveled to enjoy visits with family and friends; 
9he was a champion in all things, and he even qualified and 
10participated in the Senior Olympics; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Bryant Martin was affectionately known as "Junior 
12Martin"; while he held several jobs throughout his life, he 
13was best known for his role as a father and for the wisdom he 
14imparted to all of his children; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Bryant Martin was preceded in death by his 
16brother, Percy (Mattie) Martin; his sisters, Willie Bell 
17(Calvin) Hill and Ella Mae (Jim) Morton; and his wives, Ruth 
18Work Martin and Bertha Burton Martin; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Bryant Martin is survived by his children, John 
20B. Martin, Connie Baldwin, Bry-Ann Wilks, Melton Guy Martin, 
21Zenobia (Anthony) Rhone, Bryant Phillip Martin, Lawrence 
22Martin, Geneva (Robert) Doss Smith, Charmain (Larry Kittrell) 
 
 
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1McCullum, Renee (Ben) Piphus, Leslie (Mark) Wilson, and 
2Michael Martin; his grandchildren; his great-grandchildren; 
3his great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and 
4nephews; therefore, be it
  
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL 
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
7Bryant Martin and extend our sincere condolences to his 
8family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
9further
  
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
11presented to the family of Bryant Martin as an expression of 
12our deepest sympathy.