HR0847LRB102 27385 ECR 39175 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Desiree
4F. Gardner-Sankey, who passed away on April 12, 2022; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey was born to Shirley and
6Nettie J. Fortenberry in Columbia, Mississippi on July 4,
71931; in an environment of separate schools and segregated
8lunch counters, she excelled both as a student and star
9athlete at Burglund High School in McComb, Mississippi; in her
10senior year, she led her all-girls basketball team to win the
11state's Big Ten Championship; she married James H. Sankey Sr.,
12and their long marriage was one of love and laughter; and
 
13    WHEREAS, While in high school, Desiree Gardner-Sankey
14worked as a window decorator at a local clothing store and was
15soon trained to become a store clerk; on her first day as a
16salesperson, every white salesperson refused to work with her,
17walked off the floor, and resigned; after moving to Chicago to
18escape the oppression of the South, she worked at Roxy
19Cleaners on 43rd Street; later, she worked the overnight shift
20at Montgomery Ward, followed by a short stint at Spencer Press
21until the press relocated to Westmont; in 1965, she began her
22notable career at the U.S. Post Office as a part-time employee
23but quickly rose through the ranks to become a supervisor at

 

 

HR0847- 2 -LRB102 27385 ECR 39175 r

1the Bedford Park Facility; she retired after 43 years of
2service in 2008; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey joined the Faith Community
4of Saint Sabina in 1967 and became a faithful and devoted
5member, sacrificing to send her three children and a grandson
6to Catholic schools; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey was a woman of deep faith
8and deep compassion; she had always held a desire to become a
9nurse and, through her life, exhibited a deep compassion and
10caring for others, especially the elderly; she had an inner
11core of strength and resilience, as evidenced by her ability
12to persevere through all circumstances; she was a woman of
13wonder, dignity, determination, elegance, and grace who
14selflessly served her family, her community, and her faith;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey is survived by her
17husband, James; her daughters, Jacqueline Y. Collins, Kai Yael
18(Andrew) Gardner-Mishlove, LaVese (Glenn) Jordan, and Shirley
19(Derrick) Wilkerson; her son, Sean M. Gardner; her brother,
20Earl C. Fortenberry; her grandchildren, Yolanda (Allen), Sean
21J. (Marniece), Berhane, Surya, Jnana, Dionta, Shantai,
22Brianna, Ava, Marlon, and Miracle; her nephews, Rock (Carla)
23Anderson and Earl (Georgia) Fortenberry Jr.; her nieces,

 

 

HR0847- 3 -LRB102 27385 ECR 39175 r

1Shirley (Rodney) Williams and Chervonda Fortenberry; her
2cousins, Barbara (Leo) Lowery, Billy McCorkle Sr., Patsy
3Jefferson, and Mary Jacobs (Earl) Oubre; her
4great-grandchildren; her great-nieces and great-nephews; her
5cousins; her friends; and her special schnauzer, Sasha;
6therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
8HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
9we mourn the passing of Desiree F. Gardner-Sankey and extend
10our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who
11knew and loved her; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13presented to the family of Desiree Gardner-Sankey as an
14expression of our deepest sympathy.