SR1028 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1028 LRB102 27449 ECR 39243 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jannie Smith, who passed away on March 26, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Jannie Smith was born to Will and Carrie Jones in Evergreen, Alabama on February 6, 1927; she married Clarence "Smitty" Smith on August 3, 1963; a studious and motivated child, she received her early education in Johnsonville, Alabama; she attended cosmetology school and received her license in New Jersey; she continued her educational aspirations after moving to Chicago and obtained her certification as a CNA from Moraine Valley Community College; and

WHEREAS, Jannie Smith worked at the Westside VA and Little Company of Mary Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Jannie Smith volunteered with Consuela York in the Prison Ministry; she also volunteered at various food panties around the City of Chicago and was an election judge for 25 years; her love for children led her to South Central Community Services, where she learned the importance of and need for helping other children; she was a foster grandmother and cared for 12 children during her 95 years; a proud mother of six children, she was a surrogate mother to many children who resided in her home and adopted three, raising them as her own; and

WHEREAS, Jannie Smith was deeply committed to her faith and served her church as a Sunday School teacher, a faithful choir member, a Baptist Training Union (BTU) teacher, a mission worker, and a child evangelist with the Good News Club, in which she received a certification of training; and

WHEREAS, Jannie Smith loved cooking for her family, friends, and church and especially enjoyed, stylish clothes, fancy cars, good food, and great conversation; and

WHEREAS, Jannie Smith was preceded in death by her husband and her daughter, Shirley Mae Crook; and

WHEREAS, Jannie Smith is survived by her daughters, Barbara Ann Cook, Valerie Jerriel Walker (Denton), Cherry Lynn Patterson (Searl), Sonia Sabrina McAfee (Cannon), Sharita Princess Smith-Bolden, and Shakeda Princess Smith; her special daughter, NeNe King; her two sons, John (Phyllis) Lesley Sanders and Amun Smith; her 22 grandchildren; her 18 great-grandchildren; her three great-great-grandchildren; her nieces and nephews; her cousins; her friends; her two very special friends, Exie Hall and Ms. Kay; and the Household of Faith; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jannie Smith and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Jannie Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.