SR0123 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0123 LRB094 11786 CSA 44032 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Percy Jerome Burnett of Chicago on March 15, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Burnett was born on February 16, 1927, to the union of John and Blanche Burnett in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, He married his high school sweetheart, Vivian Tolbert; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Percy, or Mr. P, as he was affectionately known, attended Medill Grammar and High School in Chicago; he joined the United States Army in 1945 and later received an honorable discharge; he retired from Dad's Old Fashioned Root Beer Company in Chicago after 35 years of service; and

WHEREAS, He was baptized at the Mercy Seat Baptist Church in Chicago by the late Reverend Waller; all who knew and loved him will miss his hearty laughter and bright smile; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and one brother, Lamar Burnett; and

WHEREAS, He leaves to cherish his memory his loving companion of twenty years, Mellow Lee Beasley; his sisters, Connie Wonten and Ora Lee Scott; his sister-in-law, Bernice Burnett; a special daughter, Barbara (husband, Melvin, Sr.) Lightford; his four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and

WHEREAS, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford and the Lightford Family will always remember the loving kindness and support Mr. P. gave each of them over the many years; the memory of his smile warms their hearts when they remember the great times spent together as a family and the love he had for their Granny; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that even as his death is mourned, we give thanks for the blessing of Percy Jerome Burnett's life and extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends, whose grief we share; and be it further

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