SR0122 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0122 LRB094 11772 CSA 43954 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Helen Jean Sykes-Freeman of Chicago on December 26, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sykes-Freeman was born April 27, 1932, to Joe and Susie Payton in Macon, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, She attended school in Mississippi and moved to Chicago in 1951; following the relocation, she married William Sykes; to this union two daughters were born, Yolanda (Renee) and Linetta (Net); and

WHEREAS, In 1951, she joined Holy Trinity M.B. Church where she served as a member of the Usher Board; in 1973, she and her family joined Zion Travelers M.B. Church where she served as the President of the Usher Board for almost 30 years; she later joined True Christian Fellowship Church under the leadership of her brother, Rev. Andrew Payton; and

WHEREAS, She later married Samuel (Sam) Freeman, her friend, companion, and traveling mate; and

WHEREAS, Her passions in life included cooking, making her famous white potato pies, jello molds, and fresh coconut cakes, traveling, and most of all, her family and serving God; and

WHEREAS, Her family had many names for her, such as Jean, Little Auntie, Mama Helen, Mamma, Grandma, The Cookie Lady, and her newest name, Big Granny; the name that stood out most was Job's Sister because she endured so much in her life like Job, and when faced with life's tragedies and obstacles, she knew she could handle them; and

WHEREAS, Although Helen bore only two children, she was a mother and grandmother to many; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Helen Jean Sykes-Freeman is felt by all who knew and loved her, especially her husband, Samuel; her daughters, Yolanda (Dante) Blanks and Linetta Sykes-Ayanlaja (Hakeem); her grandsons, Desmond, Darns, Quentin, and Raphael; her granddaughter, Glori; her great-grandson, Dailen; her brother, Rev. Andrew Payton; her aunt, Flora Moore; her sister-in-law, Anna Marie Payton; her stepsons, Silas (Orgean) Freeman and George (Juliet) Freeman; her stepdaughters, Brenda (John) Shannon and Loretta Herron; her goddaughters, Melanie and Jennifer; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and her church family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Helen Jean Sykes-Freeman and extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and community; and be it further

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