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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Rev. William James Jenkins Sr., who
4passed away on Good Friday, April 19, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins was born to William and Mary Jenkins
6in Autaugaville, Alabama on March 30, 1940; because he always
7shared whatever he had with his siblings, he became
8affectionately known as "Buddy"; and
 
9    WHEREAS, While living in Alabama, Rev. Jenkins picked
10cotton in the hot sun to help his mom provide for his siblings;
11however, he was determined to live a better life and
12courageously migrated to Chicago in 1960; in Chicago, he worked
13at the Ashford Company, National Video, and, lastly, General
14Motors; and
 
15    WHEREAS, On September 24, 1966, Rev. Jenkins organized the
16Lively Stone Missionary Baptist Church; Lively Stone held its
17first service at 3245 W. 15th Street but eventually relocated
18to 4938 W. Chicago Avenue, where it remains to this day; Rev.
19Jenkins remained a faithful and devoted Pastor for 47 years
20until his retirement in September 2013; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins preached the Gospel with power and

 

 

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1authority, which afforded him the opportunity to meet many
2friends and collaborate with peers along his ministerial
3journey; his greatest ministerial collaboration was with three
4West Side pastors: Pastor Cleve Minter, Pastor John Parker, and
5Pastor Mack McCullum; together, they were affectionately known
6as "The 4 Gospel Heavyweights"; they recorded two Gospel albums
7and hosted revivals as they traveled around the country and to
8Jerusalem; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins lived his life preaching, teaching,
10and discipling others in the Gospel; hundreds of thousands of
11people were impacted by his ministry via weekly radio
12broadcasts, revivals, and missionary work; although he was a
13highly sought-after preacher, he still visited the sick and
14shut-in, attended celebrations and graduations, and performed
15funerals and wedding ceremonies; in addition, he was the highly
16respected patriarch of his family; he seldom raised his voice,
17but his presence always commanded respect; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins was not only a local church pastor
19but an activist who fought for the civil liberties of all
20people; as a result, he received innumerable awards and
21recognition from aldermen, senators, and other organizations
22for his contributions to his community; he was also
23instrumental in electing Mayor Harold Washington, Chicago's
24first African-American mayor; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Despite coming from humble beginnings and with
2limited education, Rev. Jenkins became a successful
3entrepreneur and established several businesses, including
4Human Enhancement Services, P & J Towing, Pickup & Dropoff
5Transportation, a hand carwash, a laundromat, a beauty shop,
6and a beauty supply store, where he employed family, friends,
7parishioners, and members of the community; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins was preceded in death by his parents;
9his brother, Doug; his sisters, Ida Mae Steele and Daisy Mae
10Bert; and his children, Jacqueline Jenkins and twins, Marilyn
11and Melvin Jenkins; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins is survived by his devoted and loving
13wife of 50 years, Mrs. Lula Jenkins; his children, Pastor
14William Jr. (Diane), Pastor Eddie (Patricia), Shirley
15(Robert), Marcell (Larry), Minister Windol (Josephine), Ivory,
16LaNisha (Donnell), and Pastor Contrell (Lenkisha); his godson,
17Adrian Dean; his sisters, Minnie Hammond and Atlean Perry
18(Robert); his brother, Clemon Chappell (Rosemary); his special
19aunt, Stella Brown; his best friend, Deacon Robert Perry; 24
20grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces,
21nephews, cousins, and spiritual sons and daughters across this
22nation; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Rev. William Jenkins Sr. and extend our sincere condolences to
4his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Rev. Jenkins and to the Lively Stone
8Missionary Baptist Church.