Bill Text: IL SR0191 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Rev. Thomas G. Henry Sr.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-15 - Resolution Adopted [SR0191 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0191-Introduced.html

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SR0191 LRB102 17694 LAW 23640 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Rev. Thomas G. Henry Sr., who passed
away on March 9, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. was born in West Point,
Mississippi to Daniel W. and Sally L. Henry on September 11,
1936; he attended West Point schools; after relocating to
Chicago, he attended Crane High School, where he played
baseball and football; he married Lucille Archibald, and they
had five children; he graduated from Wells Evening School; he
earned his Associate in Social Science from Olive Harvey
College; he attended McKinley Theological Seminary, Bishop
College Institute, and Roosevelt University; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. committed to his faith
around the age of 14; he was called to the ministry in 1959; he
preached his trial sermon at Friendship Baptist Church under
the tutelage of the late Pastor Sheldon Hall; he was appointed
junior church pastor of the Mozart/First Baptist
Congregational Church in 1967, where he served and ministered
to children for several years; he later became the assistant
pastor under the late Rev. Dr. Arthur Griffin; he became the
founding pastor of Austin Baptist United Church of Christ in
1973, where he served as a dedicated pastor for 47 years until

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the time of his passing; he was a great leader to his flock,
and he mentored and helped many people in the community; he had
a vast knowledge of scripture and was known as a bible teaching
preacher; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. was a firm believer in
higher learning; during his 50 years of service, he started
many programs to enhance the lives of young people in the
Austin community; he founded the Austin Christian School and
served as executive director of the Austin Baptist UCC Day
Care & Head Start Program; he provided summer jobs, day camp,
and food pantries; he also served as a truant officer for
Chicago Public Schools, as director of the youth program for
the Chicago Archdiocese, and as a prison chaplain for the Cook
County Sheriff's Department; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. was known for his sense of
humor and his smile that always started in his eyes; he had a
beautiful tenor voice, loved music and singing, and had been a
member of the Thompson Community Singers; he was an avid
reader; he enjoyed watching the news, traveling, and sports,
especially baseball; he will be remembered as a kind, generous
man who dedicated his life to serving others; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. was preceded in death by
his parents; his sisters, Willie McLaurin and Rosa Lavine; and

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his brothers, Charles Henry, Booker T. Henry, and John Henry;
and
WHEREAS, Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. is survived by his brother,
Daniel Henry (Lois); his sisters, Mary Sykes and Madelyn
Williams; his sister-in-law, Bobbi Henry; his children, Thomas
G. Henry Jr., Patrice McClellan, LaShaun Crump (Todd), Michael
Henry (Veranda), Bridget Henry, and Jelisa Matthews; his
grandchildren, Demetrius Haywood, Byron Turner (Aiesha), Omari
McClellan (Charlotte), Shani Douglas (Danyale), Zachary Henry,
Blake Henry (Celeste), Zoie Henry, Drew Henry, and Jaliah
Matthews; 14 great-grandchildren; other children he considered
and raised as his own; his best friend, Ernesto Scott and his
extended family; the members of Austin Baptist United Church
of Christ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, 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
Rev. Thomas G. Henry 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 Rev. Thomas Henry Sr. as an
expression of our deepest sympathy.