SR0491 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0491 LRB103 34566 MST 64403 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charles E. Hobson Sr., who passed away on September 23, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Charles Hobson was born in Chicago to Charlene and James Hobson on December 4, 1936; he attended Burke Elementary School and DuSable High School in Chicago and earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Roosevelt University; he married Shirley Spencer, and they enjoyed 53 years together before her passing; he later married Abisola Gallagher, and they enjoyed each other's company between the two cities in which they lived; and

WHEREAS, Charles Hobson had an amazing entrepreneurial spirit and owned various businesses over the years, including two shoe stores, Hobson Shoes and Carriage House Bootery, in the 1960s; he was also a real estate broker, and he owned a successful residential and commercial alarm system company, Electronic Research and Design; and

WHEREAS, Charles Hobson was born into the church family of Hartzell United Methodist Church and was a member there for many years; he later joined St. Mark United Methodist Church; he loved the choir and sang in the annual Christmas Messiah concert every year for nearly seven decades; he served in the lay visitation ministry and the United Methodist men's ministry and as a lay leader; one of his treasured accomplishments was being named Man of the Year at St. Mark; and

WHEREAS, Charles Hobson was known for his delicious homemade rolls and pound cake; he enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Aruba and visiting his children in Atlanta; when it came to music, he loved the jazz classics; in recent years, he developed a passion for the game of scrabble, enjoying it with his beloved companion, Darlene; and

WHEREAS, Charles Hobson was a man of gentle strength, warm elegance, confidence, and deep faith; all of which could be seen and felt in the love and nurturing spirit he showed to his loved ones and the warmth with which he greeted and took an interest in others; he saw the good in everybody; and

WHEREAS, Charles Hobson was preceded by his son, Paul Antony Hobson Sr.; his brother, James Jr.; and his parents; and

WHEREAS, Charles Hobson is survived by his companion, Darlene; his children, Michelle, Charles Jr., and Billy; his daughter-in-law, Kimberly (Dwayne); and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Charles E. Hobson Sr. and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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