SR0542 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0542 LRB103 34990 LAW 64892 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Elder Charles O. Nash Sr. of Champaign, who passed away on July 27, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Charles Nash was born to Bonnie Ruth Nash Hunter and Detroy Carter in Philadelphia, Mississippi on August 6, 1949; he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Philadelphia in 1967; he studied computer technology at Parkland College; he attended Charles Harrison Mason Bible College, where he received certificates in marriage, family, and Christian counseling and Old and New Testament biblical studies; he married Eloris Nash on April 30, 1976; he resided in the Champaign community for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Charles Nash worked as a chemical analytical technician at Cabot Corporation in Tuscola for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Charles Nash was the pastor of New Hope Church #1 in Champaign and the founder and overseer of New Hope Church #3 in Danville; he was called to ministry in 1977 under the leadership of Rev. Willie C. Manuel of Rising Star M. B. Church; he served as a deacon in charge of the local church in Champaign; over a period of time, he acquired a building to hold services, including Sunday Morning Worship services and Bible Study; he became the pastor of the church in Champaign in 1980, which he renamed as New Hope Nondenominational before uniting with the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Inc. in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Charles Nash was the founder and superintendent of the Greater Hope District, COGIC, Inc.; he was also the administrative assistant of Region #3, Central Illinois Jurisdiction, to Bishop Designate Andrei V. Newbon, Jurisdictional Prelate; he served as president of the State Mission Department and director of the International Sunday School Department (ISSD) Men's Ministry of COGIC, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Charles Nash was the founder of Religious Leaders for Community Care (RCC) and the New Hope Academy after-school tutorial program; he was elected as president of the Ministerial Alliance of Champaign-Urbana and Vicinity for the fourth time in 2017, serving each term for two years; he was a faithful member of the NAACP Champaign County Branch and, prior to his passing, he was invited to become a member on the MLK Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Charles Nash received many awards and was recognized nationally for his position in COGIC, Inc. and his local contributions, having served on numerous boards and committees within the community; he was well known and loved by many; he encouraged people to work together, knowing that together we are better; and

WHEREAS, Charles Nash was preceded in death by his parents, King and Bonnie Ruth Hunter and Detroy and Cleo Carter; his sisters, Mary Ann Schuller, Elsie Lynn Hunter, Martha Ann Peebles, and Johnnie Ruth Hunter; and his brothers, Willie Nelson Hunter, Clifton Judon, Ira Harris, and Delars Carter; and

WHEREAS, Charles Nash is survived by his wife, National Evangelist Eloris "Elizabeth" Nash; his children, Juviouns Michelle Thomas, Missionary Yolanda (Stanley) Nash Gardner, Corey (Constance) Nash, Jonathan Nash, Dr. Aza (Allen) Baylor, Anita "Naomi" (Todd) Nash-Rent, Charles (Sermeaka) Nash Jr.; 30 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; seven sisters; five brothers; and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Elder Charles O. Nash Sr. 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 Charles Nash as an expression of our deepest sympathy.