SR0073 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0073 LRB104 11801 LAW 21890 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charlester Crockett, who passed away on January 20, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Charlester Crockett was born to Miles McGee and Lannie Mae Kendrick in Chicago on August 19, 1930; she was raised in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago's South Side; she graduated from Forrestville Elementary School in 1944 and DuSable High School in 1948; she married Robert E. Crockett Jr. in Chicago in September 1950; and

WHEREAS, Charlester Crockett worked at Nabisco early in her marriage before deciding to leave to raise her growing family; she took great pride in the meticulous maintenance of her home and lovingly prepared meals, which included homemade breads, cakes, and pies, all made-from-scratch, and she even sewed clothing for her children; she also had exceptional budgeting skills and maximized her family's financial resources; and

WHEREAS, Charlester Crockett was deeply committed to her faith, beginning each day in private prayer and Bible study, and she took courses at Moody Bible Institute; as a pastor's wife, she served in the various churches her husband founded throughout Chicagoland; she spoke on many platforms, including for the Conservative Baptist Home Missions Society (CBHMS) and the Chicagoland Christian Women's Conference; she taught Sunday school and hosted Bible clubs for children with Child Evangelism Fellowship; she served as a mentor to other young pastors' wives; she loved traveling with her husband to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, traveling abroad to India and many places within the United States, including Colorado, Oregon, and Puerto Rico, to do so; and

WHEREAS, Charlester Crockett was politically oriented and a firm advocate in exercising her right to vote, encouraging all to participate in the election process; she was knowledgeable about her family roots, and she visited her paternal ancestral birthplace, Magnolia, Mississippi, to pay respects to her late aunts and uncles; she had an exceptional eye for detail and organization, and she preserved artifacts that highlighted momentous occasions and kept original keepsakes; and

WHEREAS, Charlester Crockett was passionate about healthy living practices, including diet, exercise, and nutrition, and she freely shared information on such practices with others; she served as a clerk at Weight Watchers, where she made lifelong friends; she was an avid reader, and her library consisted of many books on holistic health; she loved fashion and especially enjoyed wearing hats; and

WHEREAS, Charlester Crockett, affectionately known as "Charlie" by her husband, was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and

WHEREAS, Charlester Crockett was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, and her sons, Michael Crockett, Robert (Lashawn) Crockett III, and Steven Crockett; and

WHEREAS, Charlester Crockett is survived by her daughters, Debra Crockett, Sharon Crockett, Robbie (Gregory) Randle, Stephanie (Derrick) Crockett-McLean, and Esther (Javar) Love; her son, Darryl Crockett; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; her nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of other family members and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Charlester Crockett 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 Charlester Crockett as an expression of our deepest sympathy.