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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Lewis "Pee Wee" Calloway, who passed
4away on May 14, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Pee Wee Calloway was born to Tom Calloway and
6Hattie B. Coleman in Macon, Mississippi on September 21, 1945;
7he committed to his faith at an early age and was baptized at
8Oakleaf Missionary Baptist Church in Mississippi; he was
9raised on the family's farm in Macon and moved to Alliance,
10Ohio at the age of 15 to live with his father; he excelled on
11the track and field team and learned numerous skills from his
12father, becoming a master craftsman; after completing his
13education, he moved to East Saint Louis to be near his mother,
14who was an exceptional cook; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Pee Wee Calloway worked several different private
16sector jobs and eventually became interested in becoming his
17own boss; after having conversations with his mother about his
18desires to open a business and with her approval and support,
19Pee Wee's BBQ was founded in the 70s; within a few years, he
20worked diligently to open a second and third establishment in
21East Saint Louis; he provided employment opportunities to his
22younger siblings and community teenagers all while training
23his own sons in the art of BBQ; he relocated to Springfield in

 

 

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1the mid 80s and opened a restaurant; after his aunt and uncle
2retired, he had the opportunity to move to a better location at
3which time Boyd's New Generation featuring Pee Wee's BBQ was
4established and continues to operate to this day; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Pee Wee Calloway was a member of Friendship Full
6Gospel Church in Springfield; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Pee Wee Calloway displayed a
8charismatic approach to communication with everyone from
9children to adults; he had respect for everyone; he was a
10father figure, friend, and mentor to many and would help
11anyone if he could; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Pee Wee Calloway was preceded in death by his
13father; his mother; and his three brothers, James Calloway,
14Dwight Coleman, and Alvin Coleman; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Pee Wee Calloway is survived by his wife, Tammy
16Calloway; his four sons, Lewis (Antoinette) Calloway Jr.,
17Devon Calloway, Shawn Calloway, and Stephen Johnson; his three
18daughters, Michelle (Kevin) Webb, Myieca Calloway, and Chazla
19Johnson; his four bonus children, Lachae Brown, Tyrika James,
20Tina McClain, and Brianna Bell; his three sisters, Joyce
21Lockett, Jacqueline Jones, and Sheena Davenport; his
22twenty-seven grandchildren; his ten great-grandchildren; his

 

 

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1nieces and nephews; his cousins; and his close friends;
2therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
5Lewis "Pee Wee" Calloway and extend our sincere condolences to
6his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
7further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to the family of Pee Wee Calloway as an expression of
10our deepest sympathy.