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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Estella "Stella" Smith, who passed away
4on May 16, 2016; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Estella Smith was born on December 30, 1937 in
6Minter City, Mississippi; her parents were Eugene and Susie Mae
7Williams; she moved with her family to Chicago in 1940 when she
8was three years old; she married Benjamin "BJ" Smith in 1959;
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, Estella Smith attended Raymond Elementary School
11and Wendell Phillips High School; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Estella Smith was the owner and managing operator
13of the Historic Queen of the Sea Restaurant on the south side
14of Chicago; for more than 30 years, she provided employment and
15opportunities to many young men and women in the community,
16often giving them the second chance they could not find
17anywhere else; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Estella Smith was baptized at Greater Missionary
19Baptist Church, where she served as an usher for many dedicated
20years; she later became a member of the New Philadelphia
21Missionary Baptist Church; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Estella Smith often cooked and provided meals for
2neighbors and those less fortunate; she loved to cook, nurture,
3and entertain; she also enjoyed spending time with her family;
4and
 
5    WHEREAS, Estella Smith was preceded in death by her
6parents; her children, Valerie and Cheryl; her siblings,
7Robert, Stevie, and Raymond; her grandson, Eric; and her
8great-grandchild, Ma'hari; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Estella Smith is survived by her children, Helen,
10Mary Ann (Rev. Mitchell Bryant), Benjamin, Jr., and Anthony;
11her siblings, Hattie (Lott Cherry), Eugene (Darcelle), and
12Michael; her grandchildren, Erica (Rev. Scottie Williams),
13Tameca (Andre), Alecia (Jamaal), Angel, Chante, Monica,
14Antesha, and Anthony, Jr.; her great-grandchildren: Jasmine,
15Asha, Kayla, Olivia, Anthony III, Myracle, Anaegionna, Malik,
16and La'coreion; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends;
17therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her
20family and friends, mourn the passing of Estella "Stella"
21Smith; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Estella Smith as an expression of
3our sympathy.