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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Cleophus "Bill" Sanders, Ser Nefer
4Khar, who passed away on April 2, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders was born to Lula Wilkerson
6Sanders in Macon, Mississippi on October 13, 1933; after
7spending his earlier years working on a farm, he and his family
8moved to Chicago during the Great Migration; he delivered
9newspapers while attending James R. Doolittle Elementary
10School, and his family attended West Point M.B. Church; he
11graduated from Wendell Phillips High School in 1952; he
12married Annette Allen; after their marriage ended, he married
13Naomi Sanders on February 22, 1969, and they became a blended
14family with five children; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders worked as a machinist at the
16National Can Corporation for over 40 years; trusted by both
17management and his coworkers and known for his financial
18skills and honesty, he was tasked with keeping the financial
19books for the union; while working, he attended adult
20education classes at Chicago vocation schools and Bloom High
21School to advance his technical skills; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders volunteered his time and energy

 

 

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1to address injustices in his community; he was a life-long
2learner, and he and Naomi explored many things together,
3including African wisdom and health and nutrition; wanting to
4foster health and wellness in his community, he was the
5founder of the Itongo Natural Foods CoOp, which became a
6community gathering place and hosted classes and visiting
7lecturers on health and wellness topics; he was also a member
8of the spiritual group the Ausar Auset Society International,
9and he took the name Nefer Khar, which means one who sits among
10the rulers; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders took a life changing trip to
12Ghana, which he considered an invaluable experience; he loved
13sports, especially the Chicago Bears, and jazz; he enjoyed
14playing cards and doing puzzles, sharp clothes, tricks,
15shooting pool, bowling, marbles, jokes, and laughter; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders was preceded in death by his
17daughter, Sharon Cruikshank; his mother; and his two brothers,
18Ray and Leonard; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Cleophus Sanders is survived by his wife of 53
20years, Naomi 'Mickey' (Ser-t Reshiwa Het Herta); his five
21loving children, Rasheedah, Karen, Menetti and Raheem, and
22Carlos and Tanya; his son-in-law, William; his grandchildren,
23Nademah, Zakiya, Saleem, Maryam, Amanah Taqwa, Khayeem, Heru

 

 

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1Kha Sah, Noni, Meri-t Ua, Keisha, Kwame, Kofi, Khumare, Kyle,
2Kiela, Kameron, Cameron, Malcolm, Mariama, Essence, Rahsann,
3and Todd; his 24 great-grandchildren, his six
4great-great-grandchildren; his nieces and nephews, Diane,
5Terry, Johnny, Cheryl, Bernice, Mable, Ella, Gary, and Dwayne;
6his siblings, Isabelle, Tarvie (Jerome), Esther, Sarah, and
7Charles; his Markham neighbors; and other Wayne and Wilkerson
8family members; and numerous friends; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
11Cleophus "Bill" Sanders, Ser Nefer Khar, and extend our
12sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
13and loved him; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to the family of Cleophus Sanders as an expression
16of our deepest sympathy.