SR0887 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0887 LRB096 22603 GRL 41955 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois State Senator Iris Y. Martinez and the members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sandra Kay Williams-Young of Springfield, who passed away on June 12, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Williams-Young was born on December 26, 1961, in Springfield; she was the daughter of Robert L. and Barbara J. Williams; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Williams-Young graduated from Southeast High School in 1979; she earned her associate's degree at Lincoln Land Community College and her bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Illinois-Springfield; she then earned her master's degree in public administration from the University of Illinois-Springfield, where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Williams-Young accepted the Lord early in life and was baptized into the Christian faith; she was a member of the Monroe Street Christian Church (MSCC) for most of her adult life and she remained an active member until the Lord called her home; she also served as a member of the MSCC Adult Praise Dancers and a member of the Usher Board at the church; every year, she loved to volunteer her time in the summer to serve as the senior high teacher at the church's Vacation Bible School; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Williams-Young was formerly employed at the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services for over 29 years; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Williams-Young was very active in the performing arts; she performed in several local plays and also enjoyed performing dramatic readings at her church; while her favorite dramatic reading was "Ain't I a Woman" by Sojourner Truth, she also enjoyed and performed the works of Langston Hughes; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Williams-Young was a committed volunteer and mentor at George Washington Middle School, where she formed lasting friendships with at-risk female students as she challenged them to strive for greatness; after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she became a self-appointed advocate in the African-American community and encouraged women of color to be tested for breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Williams-Young was preceded in death by her father and her husband, Lloyd "Chris" Young, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Williams-Young is survived by her sons, Rickey and Christopher; her grandson, Christian, whom she raised as a son; her grandchildren, Natasha Handy, Prince Rickey Smith, and Gabriel Smith; her mother; her brothers, Aundra (Ann), Steven (Martha), and Robert L. (Sherry); her sisters, Debra, Letitia, and Sharon (Justin) Williams; her special friend, Delbert Marshall; and her many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; she also had an extra special relationship with Reknecka Ashcraft McTye and Jason Holman, whom she considered her own special children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Sandra Kay Williams-Young; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sandra Williams-Young as an expression of our sympathy.