SR0894 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0894 LRB096 22756 GRL 42089 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Arrado Bostic Claybrooks, who passed away on July 3, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Arrado Bostic Claybrooks was born on February 9, 1912, in Ripley, Tennessee; her parents were Eldorado and Mary Epson Bostic; her family migrated to Blytheville, Arkansas when she was 2 years old; and

WHEREAS, Arrado Bostic Claybrooks was a devout Christian and accepted Jesus Christ into her life at an early age; as a child and young adult, she attended Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Blytheville, Arkansas; she later boasted that 3 of her sons, Joe Willie, James, and Eldorado, became ministers; in her later years, she joined the Original Christian Union Baptist Church where her eldest son, Reverend Joe Willie Claybrooks, serves as Pastor; and

WHEREAS, In 1931, Arrado Bostic Claybrooks met and married Herrod Claybrooks; to this union 12 children were born, Joe Willie, Pearlene, Theodore, Leora, Herrod Jr., Frank, Evelyn, Barbara, Jacky, James, Eldorado, and Glendora; and

WHEREAS, Arrado Bostic Claybrooks was a mother and housewife in every sense of the word; she raised her children and watched as they left the South one by one for better living and economic conditions in the north; eventually, she was persuaded by her children to move north; in 1968, she moved to Chicago, bringing along her elderly mother; she then served as her mother's faithful caretaker, until Mary desired to return to Blytheville to reside with her daughter, Gertie, until her passing; and

WHEREAS, Arrado Bostic Claybrooks was well known by her family and friends for her giant and keen memory, humorous wit, and sharp tongue; she was regarded by many as being able to read and interpret the Bible better than any theologian; she also boasted of her family ancestry and history all the way back to her great-great grandparents, who were of Cherokee and African descent, and of her family's great longevity; and

WHEREAS, Arrado Bostic Claybrooks was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herrod; her siblings, LuWillie, Corina Selena, Lorenzo, Sylvester, Ella Mac, Gertie, and Henrietta; and her children, Leora, Frank, Pearlene, Theodore, Herrod Jr., and Barbara; and

WHEREAS, Arrado Bostic Claybrooks is survived by her children, Rev. Joe Willie (Luevne), Evelyn Hinton (Eddie), Jackie, Rev. James E., Rev. Eldorado, and Glendora; her 57 grandchildren; her 64 great-grandchildren; her 34 great-great-grandchildren; and her many other relatives and extended friends who called her "Grandma"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Arrado Bostic Claybrooks; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Arrado Bostic Claybrooks as an expression of our sympathy.