SR0901 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0901 LRB102 26689 MST 37523 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Patricia Nelson, who passed away on March 5, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson was born to Wilbert Sr. and Beulah Mae Jones on July 1, 1948; after her father's passing, her mother married Morris "Big Floyd" Floyd, who developed a special bond with his new daughter; she attended Medill Elementary School and graduated from Flower Vocational High School, where she was involved in many different extracurricular activities, including student council; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson married Wesley Nelson Jr. on March 14, 1970, and they moved to St. Louis, Missouri, from which they returned to Chicago in 1973; except for her brief moves to California and Missouri, she remained a lifelong resident of Chicago's West Side; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson worked in various industries and capacities, from banks to Zenith to Ryerson Steel; she spent most of her professional life helping and serving the people of Chicago, specifically its senior citizens, as an employee of the City of Chicago's Sewer Department, where she retired in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson doted on her grandchildren and made sure they knew that she loved them with all her heart; she took great pride in keeping her grandchildren, particularly during their formative years, where she would teach them their ABCs and how to count and take them on excursions; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson enjoyed telling stories about things she had seen and people she had met; she had a keen interest in politics and served as a precinct worker and captain; she was proud of being able to witness the election of the nation's first African American President and Vice President and often spoke proudly of her support of candidates for national office; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson loved her plants, reading, and watching her favorite television shows, such as Chicago P.D., NCIS, and her all-time favorite, Law & Order; as a youngster, she enjoyed music and dancing; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Morris Floyd; her sister, Josephine Moore; and her brother, Michael Jones; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson is survived by her children, Shawn (Marie) and Shivonne (Sen. Elgie) Sims; her grandchildren, Kennedy, Sydney, Mackenzie, and Spencer; her brother, Wilbert Jr.; her sisters, Bertha (Charles) Anderson and Dorothy Davis; her stepbrothers, Morris Floyd Jr. and Gregory Floyd; and numerous aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; 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 Patricia Nelson 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 Patricia Nelson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.