SR0449 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0449 LRB104 14043 LAW 27175 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ruth Earl Hudson Nichols, who passed away on May 27, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Hudson Nichols was born to Percy and Marie Hudson in Canton, Mississippi on October 5, 1936; at the age of six, she and her family moved to Chicago; she committed to her faith at the age of nine under the pastorate of her grandfather, the late Rev. Clarence Buckner, the founding pastor of Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church; she attended Raymond Elementary School and the Dunbar Trade School, where she majored in dressmaking and graduated at the age of 16 in 1953; she furthered her education at Cortez Peters Business School and later at Wilson Junior College, now Kennedy-King College; she married Rev. Howard Sanders Nichols Sr. on June 19, 1955, and they had five children while building a union rooted in faith, service, and shared ministry for 59 years; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Hudson Nichols began her career in office administration in the private sector and worked for such firms as Leo Rose and Joe Lipke & Sons; she ultimately joined the Chicago Public School (CPS) system, beginning and concluding her career at her alma mater, Dunbar Vocational High School, where she first served as a program office clerk and retired as principal secretary to Dr. Floyd Banks; she also contributed her talents to Frazier, Ryder, Robert A. Black, and McCorkle Elementary Schools and the Dewey Child Parent Center; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Hudson Nichols was deeply committed to her faith and the work of the ministry, serving as the devoted first lady of Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church with dignity and warmth; she further served her church as youth director, choir member, and fundraiser queen in the Women's Department; during her tenure, she formed a singing group with her daughters, The Nichols Singers, a music ministry that became a powerful extension of the family's evangelistic work while accompanying Rev. Nichols across the city and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Hudson Nichols extended her contributions to community and ministry as general and financial secretary of the Track Down Crusade of Christ and the Better Citizens Advancement Organization, both federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; she and her husband, who served as executive director, built ministries and programs through these organizations that transformed lives, empowered families, and expanded opportunities in both spiritual and civic arenas; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Hudson Nichols served as youth president of both the Progressive Baptist District Association and the Progressive Illinois Baptist State Convention; she was a respected member of the Minister's Unit and a beloved instructor within the Congress; she founded the W.W. Taylor Institute Congress for Christian Education on both the local and state level, and she was also a founding member of the Miss Christian America Pageant; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Hudson Nichols was a genuine person who was known for her grace, patience, compassion, and skills in the culinary arts; she taught by example, gave selflessly, and inspired others to rise with purpose, and she leaves behind a legacy of family, community, leadership, and spiritual strength; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Hudson Nichols was preceded in death by her husband; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Hudson Nichols is survived by her children, Minister Debra M. Nichols, Rev. Shari A. (Curtis Sweat Jr.) Nichols Sweat, Rev. Krista J. (Gregory Alston Sr.) Nichols Alston, Marva Ruth Nichols, and Howard S. Nichols Jr.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; her siblings, Hattie M. Hudson White, Clarence (Betty) Hudson Sr., Robert Hudson, Charles Hudson Sr., and Donald (Kathryn) Hudson Sr.; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hudson, Irma Hudson, and Bertha Hudson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted sons and daughters, extended family, church members, and dear 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 Ruth Earl Hudson Nichols 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 Ruth Hudson Nichols as an expression of our deepest sympathy.