Bill Text: IL SR0365 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Rev. William Jenkins Sr.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-02 - Resolution Adopted [SR0365 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR0365-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Rev. William James Jenkins Sr., who
passed away on Good Friday, April 19, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins was born to William and Mary Jenkins
in Autaugaville, Alabama on March 30, 1940; because he always
shared whatever he had with his siblings, he became
affectionately known as "Buddy"; and
WHEREAS, While living in Alabama, Rev. Jenkins picked
cotton in the hot sun to help his mom provide for his siblings;
however, he was determined to live a better life and
courageously migrated to Chicago in 1960; in Chicago, he worked
at the Ashford Company, National Video, and, lastly, General
Motors; and
WHEREAS, On September 24, 1966, Rev. Jenkins organized the
Lively Stone Missionary Baptist Church; Lively Stone held its
first service at 3245 W. 15th Street but eventually relocated
to 4938 W. Chicago Avenue, where it remains to this day; Rev.
Jenkins remained a faithful and devoted Pastor for 47 years
until his retirement in September 2013; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins preached the Gospel with power and

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authority, which afforded him the opportunity to meet many
friends and collaborate with peers along his ministerial
journey; his greatest ministerial collaboration was with three
West Side pastors: Pastor Cleve Minter, Pastor John Parker, and
Pastor Mack McCullum; together, they were affectionately known
as "The 4 Gospel Heavyweights"; they recorded two Gospel albums
and hosted revivals as they traveled around the country and to
Jerusalem; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins lived his life preaching, teaching,
and discipling others in the Gospel; hundreds of thousands of
people were impacted by his ministry via weekly radio
broadcasts, revivals, and missionary work; although he was a
highly sought-after preacher, he still visited the sick and
shut-in, attended celebrations and graduations, and performed
funerals and wedding ceremonies; in addition, he was the highly
respected patriarch of his family; he seldom raised his voice,
but his presence always commanded respect; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins was not only a local church pastor
but an activist who fought for the civil liberties of all
people; as a result, he received innumerable awards and
recognition from aldermen, senators, and other organizations
for his contributions to his community; he was also
instrumental in electing Mayor Harold Washington, Chicago's
first African-American mayor; and

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WHEREAS, Despite coming from humble beginnings and with
limited education, Rev. Jenkins became a successful
entrepreneur and established several businesses, including
Human Enhancement Services, P & J Towing, Pickup & Dropoff
Transportation, a hand carwash, a laundromat, a beauty shop,
and a beauty supply store, where he employed family, friends,
parishioners, and members of the community; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins was preceded in death by his parents;
his brother, Doug; his sisters, Ida Mae Steele and Daisy Mae
Bert; and his children, Jacqueline Jenkins and twins, Marilyn
and Melvin Jenkins; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Jenkins is survived by his devoted and loving
wife of 50 years, Mrs. Lula Jenkins; his children, Pastor
William Jr. (Diane), Pastor Eddie (Patricia), Shirley
(Robert), Marcell (Larry), Minister Windol (Josephine), Ivory,
LaNisha (Donnell), and Pastor Contrell (Lenkisha); his godson,
Adrian Dean; his sisters, Minnie Hammond and Atlean Perry
(Robert); his brother, Clemon Chappell (Rosemary); his special
aunt, Stella Brown; his best friend, Deacon Robert Perry; 24
grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins, and spiritual sons and daughters across this
nation; therefore, be it

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RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Rev. William Jenkins 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. Jenkins and to the Lively Stone
Missionary Baptist Church.