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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Robbie Jean Mangum Sykes; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Robbie Sykes was born on August 29, 1940, in
5Memphis, Tennessee; her parents were Deacon Robert and Julia
6Hess Mangum; she married Dr. Reginald Sykes in 1963; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Robbie Sykes attended Memphis Public Schools and
8the famous Booker T. Washington High School; she then earned a
9full 4-year scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Pine
10Bluff, where she earned her bachelor's degree in education; she
11was active in many social and academic clubs on campus and
12served as one of the soloists in the college's renowned Vesper
13Choir; she was chosen for Who's Who in American Colleges and
14Universities and later went on to attend Chicago State
15University; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Robbie Sykes began her teaching career in Memphis;
17she later began a four-decade long teaching career at Betsy
18Ross Elementary in Chicago; she subsequently taught primary
19grades at Bryn Mawr School (later Bouchet Math and Science
20Academy); she retired from Bouchet in 2005 after many years of
21service; following her retirement, she enjoyed teaching her
22grandchildren in the basement of her home; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Robbie Sykes was a greatly demanded and highly
2regarded soloist throughout Chicago and Memphis; her
3wide-ranging repertoire included classical and gospel
4selections; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Robbie Sykes was an active and dedicated member of
6Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a
7trustee, assistant treasurer, and treasurer; she was a member
8of the Gospel Chorus, the Beautifying Club, Sunday School, and
9the Pinkie Reid Mission Circle of Senior Mission #2; she was
10also a member of the Love Ensemble, a non-profit musical group,
11and participated in numerous civic and community activities;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Robbie Sykes was preceded in death by her
14siblings, Ernest, Mary Lillie, Vivian Nell, Louis, and James;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, Robbie Sykes is survived by her loving husband,
17Reginald; her children, Regina Sykes-Hawkins (Stephen), Rhonda
18Sykes-Willis (Gregory) and Reginald Sykes II (Renee); her
19grandchildren, Robbie, Raven, Imani, Robynn, and Reginald III;
20her sisters, Julia Ward (Elder Lee Ward) and Verna Jones; her
21brother-in-law, Larry Sykes; and her many other relatives,
22friends, neighbors, former students, adopted children, and her

 

 

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1beloved W.H.G. Sisters; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
3ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
4her family and friends, the passing of Robbie Jean Mangum
5Sykes; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Robbie Sykes as an expression of our
8sympathy.