SR1236 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1236 LRB103 42802 ECR 76050 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leila Mae Clay, beloved family matriarch; and

WHEREAS, Leila Clay was born to Levi and Esther (Steagall) Wood in Newnan, Georgia on October 11, 1932; she married Lonnie Clay in July 1950, and they lived in Okinawa, Japan and Franfurt, Germany during his time of service in the U.S. Army before moving to Chicago in 1960 following his discharge; and

WHEREAS, Leila Clay worked for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring after decades of service; and

WHEREAS, Leila Clay was deeply committed to her faith and a longtime member of Alpha Temple Missionary Baptist Church; she was also an active member of the community and served as Treasure of 77th Wood Street Block club; and

WHEREAS, Leila Clay was a model of self-sufficiency, maintaining her home and independence into her 90s; she was a life-long learner and enjoyed serving others and spending quality time with family, helping organize numerous family reunions in Washington D.C., Chicago, Newnan, Georgia, and Atlanta, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Leila Clay was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her siblings, Lucille (James) McCombs, Sara (Arthur Lee) Berry, and J.C. (Suzette) Wood; and

WHEREAS, Leila Clay is survived by her sons, Larry (Sylvia) Clay and Randy (Analilia) Clay; her grandchildren, Erick D. (Leslie) Clay, Randy L. (Lashawn) Clay, Edward C. (Helen) Clay, Jeremy Henley, Tiffani L. Clay, Melissa Clay (Theresa) Barnes, and Lonnie Clay III; her great-grandchildren, Justin J. Clay, Ethan D. Clay, Gabrielle Clay, Camille Clay, Randy L. Clay Jr., Eric Delahoussaye, Heaven Delahoussaye, Angel Delahoussaye, Sydney Clay, Dexter Delahoussaye, Edward C. Clay I, Helyn Clay, Hannah Clay, Edward C. Clay Jr., Layla S. Henley, Jordyn W. Henley, Jeremy D. Henley, Natalya A. Clay, and Juliana Clay; her great-great-granddaughter, Parker R. Clay; and her sister, Ruth (Robert) Sutton; 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 Leila Mae Clay 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 Leila Clay as an expression of our deepest sympathy.