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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Reverend Alphonso Lyons Jr. of Peoria,
4who passed away on September 21, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons was born in Peoria to
6Alphonso Sr. and Ellora (Derrick) Lyons on March 22, 1949; he
7graduated from Manual High School in 1967 and from Bradley
8University in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and
9Religious Studies; he later received a master's degree in
10Education and Administration from Bradley; he was ordained in
111974; he married Cheryl G. Green in 1975, and they had two
12children together; he later married Charlene Grant Coates, and
13they raised five children together; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons served as an assistant
15pastor under the guidance of Dr. Wendall R. Phillips at Mount
16Zion Baptist Church; in May of 1974, he began serving as
17interim pastor; in October of 1974, the church selected him as
18the head pastor, where he has been known for his gentleness and
19his dynamic teaching style; he also worked as a substitute
20teacher for Peoria Public Schools for many years, teaching
21several subjects, including French; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons donated his time and

 

 

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1talents to numerous organizations, including serving as
2chairman of the Peoria Christian Leadership Council, as
3moderator of the Central District Congress, as past president
4of the Central District Association, as chairman of the board
5of the Peoria Christian Leadership Council, as a member of the
6Peoria Baptist Ministerial Alliance, as a member of the Peoria
7Ministerial Economic Development organization, as a member of
8the Committee to Establish a Peoria Charter School, as a
9member of the Peoria Lion's Club, as a board member of the
10Manual High School Advisory Board, as past president of the
11Central District Congress, as a past corresponding secretary
12for the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois
13(2002-2008), as a past instructor for the Central District
14Congress, as a past instructor for the Baptist General State
15Convention of Illinois (1976-1979), and as a past secretary
16for the PAMA (Peoria Area Ministerial Association); he also
17was a former contributing writer to the religious column in
18the Peoria Journal Star; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Always looking for ways to make his church and
20the community more financially grounded, Reverend Alphonso
21Lyons founded Mount Zions' Effort to Equip the Community
22(METEC), a community development corporation that provides
23resources to help families and individuals with housing and
24employment; he served on METEC's board since its inception in
252001; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons was preceded in death by
2his father and four grandchildren, Jeremiah Hayes, Deshaun
3Hayes, Jazmine "BJ" Ivy, and Brandon Grant; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Reverend Alphonso Lyons is survived by his loving
5and devoted wife, Charlene Lyons; his children, Devon Lyons,
6Frank Coates, Willie Coates, Crystal Grant, and Danielle
7Lyons; his loving mother, Ellora Lyons; his siblings, Michael
8Lyons, Don (Annie) Lyons, Curtis Lyons, Charla (Rev. James)
9Fleming, Cheryll (Keith) Boswell, and Ruthi Lyons; his 20
10grandchildren; his host of great-grandchildren; his host of
11nieces and nephews; and his other relatives, friends and the
12Mount Zion Baptist Church family; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15Reverend Alphonso Lyons Jr. and extend our sincere condolences
16to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
17it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Reverend Alphonso Lyons as an
20expression of our deepest sympathy.