SR1874 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1874 LRB100 22515 ALS 41411 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Eddie L. Brown Sr., who passed away on June 26, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Brown Sr. was born in Helena, Arkansas to George and Annie Brown on September 8, 1928; he was the second of five children; he committed to his faith at an early age and worshiped at New Life Baptist Church in Helena, Arkansas; born during the Great Depression, he helped to provide for his family and still found time for his passions of playing football, fishing, dancing, singing, and especially driving; at the age of 16, he joined the United States Army, where he served as a Medical Technician at Brooks General Hospital at Fort Sam Houston in Texas; in 1948, he transferred to Fort Benning in Georgia, where he completed psychiatric training to further assist in serving his fellow soldiers; he received an honorable discharge and relocated to Chicago; he met his wife, Doris L. Watkins in 1955; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Brown Sr. began working in the cafeteria at Walgreens Drug Store in 1954; he then became a mail carrier for the United States Post Office; after leaving his job with the post office, he worked as a jet fuel dispenser for the United States Army at O'Hare Airport; next, he took a position with the City of Chicago Streets and Sanitation Department; he then followed his passion and joined Cordin Motor Freight Company as a driver, in partnership with Bob Driscol; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Eddie Brown Sr. and his wife became the first African American family to join St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Oak Park; for the past 50 years, he faithfully attended Sunday worship, sang in the gospel choir, and volunteered for many social and fundraising events; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Brown Sr. had a life full of family events, community advocacy, and traveling with his wife and children; he enjoyed cooking, telling family stories, and working on his home; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Brown Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Velma, Evelyn, George-Ella, and James; and his granddaughter, Natasha Latrice; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Brown Sr. is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris; his children, Derrick, Timothy, Orvelle (Valencia), Jarrie, Monica (Harold), and Marla (fiance Anthony); his daughter-in-law, Felicia; his grandchildren, Tashona, Demetrius, Jannen, Jessica, Lomont, Ricardo, Paris, Kenyatta, Exa, Shareena, Arvelle (AJ), Xaviea, Jarrie Marie, Kye, Khodee, Marion III "Tre", Marcus, Harold, Mikayla, Myia, and Dion Jr.; his five great-grandchildren; his four great-great-grandchildren; his brothers-in-law; his sisters-in-law; his many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his adopted grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Eddie L. Brown 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 Eddie Brown Sr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.