SR1184 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1184 LRB103 42416 LAW 75645 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sandra Jean Booker, who passed away on August 13, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Booker was born to Judge A. Booker and Wynona (Bea) Williams-Booker in Coatopa, Alabama on August 19, 1960; she graduated from North Chicago Community High School in 1979; she enrolled in the College of Lake County's Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program in August 1983, earning her CNA license in October 1983; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Booker began her healthcare career as a CNA at Winchester House in 1983; she then served as a medical assistant at the Chicago Medical School, known today as the Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine; she later served at the Lake County Health Department from 1991 to 2013, where her roles included home health nursing assistant, community health associate, and senior public health assistant; through these positions, she made lasting, impactful relationships with teen mothers at Stepping Together, senior citizens at Home Health, and countless others in the community; after leaving the county, she continued her advocacy as a home-based specialist, a respite care provider, and a self-employed caregiver; and

WHEREAS, Beyond her professional work, Sandra Booker volunteered as an adult probation officer of Lake County for over 20 years and worked as a mentor to young teenagers through My Father's Business; she also remained an active and beloved member of the Lake County Sarcoidosis Support Group; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Booker committed to her faith at an early age, joining First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church in 1970 and again in 1995; she served on the Junior Usher Board and later became a preschool-kindergarten Sunday school teacher, a role she held until 2012; she then joined the Way Through the Word Ministry in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Booker was a pillar of the Lake County community, possessing a vibrant personality, a dedication to helping others, and the ability to bring people together; she was affectionately known as "Moo", "San", "Ms. B", "Ms. Booker", "Ms. Waukegan", "Ms. G.L.", and "TeTe San"; her legacy of love, service, and unwavering faith will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Booker was preceded in death by her mother; her maternal grandparents, Jack and Elsie Williams; her paternal grandparents, Alberta Hobbs-Caldwell and Eugene Booker; her brothers, Don Brown, Matt Brown, and Mark D. Booker; her sisters, Linda "Ann" Miller-Quinn, Brenda J. Black-Glover, and Sharon Davis; her godmother, Candace Martin; two uncles; four aunts; and many cousins; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Booker is survived by her father; her children, Natisha Booker and Samuel D.A. Gray; her daughter of love, Adrienne (Jamar) Simmons; her sisters, Barbara (Walter) Branch, Sandra Booker, Alice (Sam) Pope-Baker, Cathy (Warren) Roseborough, Angela Patterson, Josie Starks, Johnnie Mitchell, and Charlene Miller; her brothers, Michael Booker and Ernest Booker; her siblings-in-law, Wanda Brown, Julie Booker, John W. Black, and Anthony "Tony" Glover; her aunts, Ruth Jackson, Gloria Rice, Barbara Bush, Ikie Jackson, Billeye Shelton, and Mary Ross Cunningham; her uncles, Lorenza (Jennifer) Belville and Preston (Joe) Wiggins; her bonus grandchildren, Olivia and Jacob Simmons; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives; her special niece, Arlene Sawyer; her special cousins, Pastor Kathy Moton and Sheila Miller; her godchildren, Ericka Morris, Mia Waites, Jalen Morris Desmond Roseborough, Yammile Estrada, and LaMar Black Jr.; her special friends, Lydia Sawyer, Michele McBride, Eugene Jones, Celester Rodney, Debra Choc, Doris Wilburn, Brenda MacDonnell, Sharon Doney, Darlene Kennard, Rosalind Davis, and Orlando and Bertha Warner; and the Old Lake County Family Life Education Team; 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 Sandra Jean Booker and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sandra Booker as an expression of our deepest sympathy.