SR0102 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0102 LRB104 11969 MST 22063 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Andrew Cornelious Sr., who passed away on January 24, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Cornelious Sr. was born in Oneida, Arkansas to Elijah Clarence Cornelious Jr. and EthLeen Craig on April 28, 1947; he attended elementary and high school at Lake View in Helena, Arkansas and joined Mt. Olive M.B. Church in Lexa, Arkansas; he married Shirley Chandler on January 15, 1967; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Cornelious Sr. worked at the B. Broady Seating Company in Chicago for two years; he then worked as an inspector at Hot Point (GE) for a brief time; he worked for Sears Roebuck & Company in Melrose Park for three years part-time while maintaining a full-time job at Electro-Motive Division (EMD) General Motors Corporation in LaGrange for over 29 years; he was a GM Production/Skilled Trade Member at EMD; he and several of his friends would cook catfish and rib tip dinners on the job; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Cornelious Sr. became a faithful member of Second Baptist Church of Maywood in 1975; he served with the men's ministry "The Upper Room" and the Men's Day choir and as a trustee for several decades; he was a man of service and assisted with the food pantry as a driver and worker for over 25 years; he was enthusiastic about feeding the needy in his community and donated his truck to the food pantry when he was no longer able to serve to ensure the ministry would continue to help others in need; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Cornelious Sr. was the founder of Cousins Lawn Care Services in Broadview in April 2003; this business was truly a family affair and involved his grandsons, Gabriel, Adrian, Michael, and Jameel, his brother, Andre, and brothers-in-law, Richard, Robert, and Rodney Jay; they served seniors within the community and branched out into the western, south suburbs, and Chicagoland communities; known by some as "Andy the grass grower", he believed in beautifying the neighborhood and making sure he taught and shared his craftsmanship with his grandsons; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Cornelious Sr. served on the St. Joseph's Booster Club when his son, Drew, played on the basketball and football teams; they were the first to grill at these events, which included Italian sausage, bratwurst, nachos, hot dogs, and hamburgers; they raised a significant amount of money for the school; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Cornelious Sr. was affectionately known as "Andy", "Junior", "Gramps", and "Grampsy" and had many talents, skills, and hobbies; he was loved by his family, co-workers, children, and grandchildren; he loved cars, and Cadillac was his favorite; every year attended the auto show and loved to purchase new models with all the bells and whistles; he was known in the community as "Mr. GM"; he as an avid bowler and loved fishing with his friends; he and Shirley enjoyed traveling to different places, and he especially loved Vancouver, British Columbia; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Cornelious Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Maxine Cornelious; and his brothers, David Crosby, Darnell Brown, and Melvin Archer; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Cornelious Sr. is survived by his wife, Shirley Cornelious; his children, Sharon (Russell) Donald, Marilyn (Leon) Brewer Jr., and Andrew (Tequila) Cornelious Jr.; his sisters, Jane Hutcherson, Linda Cornelious Lewis, and Michelle Cornelious; his bonus sister, Walter Pearl (James) Bradley; his brother, Andre Brown; his bonus brother, Leonard (Katherine) Martin; his sisters-in-law, Gloria Palmer, LuVern Middleton, Janet Chandler, and Kim (Ignacio) Seguro; his brothers-in-law, Clemmie Chandler and Ronald Brown Sr.; his grandchildren, Gabriel (Laquita) Porter, Adrian (Shermaine) Woolfork, Michael Porter, Jameel Porter, Matthew Donald, Joshua Donald, Robert Donald, Andee Cornelious, and Nicholas Cornelious; his bonus grandsons, Roderick Morrow and Anthony Morrow; his great-grandchildren, Jayden Porter, Zieara Weathersby, Kenneth Porter, Jayla Porter, Amiya Woolfork, Destiny Bagwell, Markell Porter, Xavier Porter, Isaiah Porter, Adrian Z.Woolfork, Farrah Woolfork, Chandler Porter, Nova Donald, Camille Porter, and Amari Porter; and numerous relatives and loyal friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Andrew Cornelious 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 Andrew Cornelious Sr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.