SR2056 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Florence Coakley, who passed away on June 29, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Florence Coakley was born on July 10, 1926 in Dermott, Arkansas; her parents were Eddie and Florida Hines; she married Clarence Coakley on December 10, 1942 in Dermott, Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, Florence Coakley attended the Dermott school systems in Dermott, Arkansas, where she was a very smart and excellent student; and

WHEREAS, In 1945, Florence Coakley moved to Chicago, where she worked very hard at the Curtis Candy Company and Carter's and Company; she was known and loved throughout her community as the "Candy Store Lady"; and

WHEREAS, Florence Coakley accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized under the leadership of Reverend Humphrey of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Dermott, Arkansas, where she was a great church worker and dedicated Sunday school teacher; she also attended the Divine Kingdom of Christ Church in Chicago under the leadership of Reverend Lady Lyons, Faith Temple AME Church in Chicago under the leadership of Pastor James, and Sakal New Life in Christ Ministries under the leadership of the late Bishop Lamont Coakley and Pastor Cynthia E. Coakley; she was a faithful member of the Mother's Board and Pastor's Aid Committee; she dedicated her life to Christ on January 10, 2015, and reinstated her membership at New Life in Christ Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Strickland; and

WHEREAS, Florence Coakley was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Coakley; her sons, Lamont Coakley and Ronald Coakley; her brothers, Timothy, John, Clarence, and Wardy Hines; her sisters, Maetta, Mary, Beatrice, and Clara; her grandchildren, Ronald Dockery, David Coakley, Robert and Stacy Caine, and Kimberlyn Caine; and her special sister-in-law, Jessie Mae Hines; and

WHEREAS, Florence Coakley is survived by her loving children, Layendra (Charles), Bernie (Poly), Brenda (Leroy), Darlene, Clarence Jr., Sandra (Andy), Phillis (Shannon), Sequnia (James), Tawandray Gini (Donnie), and Prince (Duke); her stepchildren, Frank Coakley and Annie Caine; her goddaughter, Sandra Ramsey; her grandchildren, Tawandray Shameka, Pierre, Lamont Jr., (Loretta), Absalom (Juanita), Joshua (Elaine), Jonathan (Veoria), Chiquita, Bernie Jr., Gini (Donnie), Romero, Grady-Joe, Kametta, Keith, Tawanda, Sharon, Anthony, Arrneice, Rhonda, Tyrese, Ronald, Crystal, Steven, Henderson, Cortez, Precious, Jasmine, Prince, Tyrone, Tyasia, Tyanna, James, Dewanda, Lilliany, Clarence "D", Yvonne (Edward), Elizabeth, Charlotte, Jonathan, Tenaz, Paula, Angela (Darnel) Denita, Yolanda, Michael, and Christopher; 95 great-grandchildren; 25 great-great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Helen Davis, her brother-in-law, Houston Coakley; her special friends, Isa Mae Robinson and Alyce Conley; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

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

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