Bill Text: IL HR0847 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Desiree Gardner-Sankey.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-11-15 - Resolution Adopted [HR0847 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR0847-Introduced.html

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HR0847 LRB102 27385 ECR 39175 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Desiree
F. Gardner-Sankey, who passed away on April 12, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey was born to Shirley and
Nettie J. Fortenberry in Columbia, Mississippi on July 4,
1931; in an environment of separate schools and segregated
lunch counters, she excelled both as a student and star
athlete at Burglund High School in McComb, Mississippi; in her
senior year, she led her all-girls basketball team to win the
state's Big Ten Championship; she married James H. Sankey Sr.,
and their long marriage was one of love and laughter; and
WHEREAS, While in high school, Desiree Gardner-Sankey
worked as a window decorator at a local clothing store and was
soon trained to become a store clerk; on her first day as a
salesperson, every white salesperson refused to work with her,
walked off the floor, and resigned; after moving to Chicago to
escape the oppression of the South, she worked at Roxy
Cleaners on 43rd Street; later, she worked the overnight shift
at Montgomery Ward, followed by a short stint at Spencer Press
until the press relocated to Westmont; in 1965, she began her
notable career at the U.S. Post Office as a part-time employee
but quickly rose through the ranks to become a supervisor at

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the Bedford Park Facility; she retired after 43 years of
service in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey joined the Faith Community
of Saint Sabina in 1967 and became a faithful and devoted
member, sacrificing to send her three children and a grandson
to Catholic schools; and
WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey was a woman of deep faith
and deep compassion; she had always held a desire to become a
nurse and, through her life, exhibited a deep compassion and
caring for others, especially the elderly; she had an inner
core of strength and resilience, as evidenced by her ability
to persevere through all circumstances; she was a woman of
wonder, dignity, determination, elegance, and grace who
selflessly served her family, her community, and her faith;
and
WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey is survived by her
husband, James; her daughters, Jacqueline Y. Collins, Kai Yael
(Andrew) Gardner-Mishlove, LaVese (Glenn) Jordan, and Shirley
(Derrick) Wilkerson; her son, Sean M. Gardner; her brother,
Earl C. Fortenberry; her grandchildren, Yolanda (Allen), Sean
J. (Marniece), Berhane, Surya, Jnana, Dionta, Shantai,
Brianna, Ava, Marlon, and Miracle; her nephews, Rock (Carla)
Anderson and Earl (Georgia) Fortenberry Jr.; her nieces,

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Shirley (Rodney) Williams and Chervonda Fortenberry; her
cousins, Barbara (Leo) Lowery, Billy McCorkle Sr., Patsy
Jefferson, and Mary Jacobs (Earl) Oubre; her
great-grandchildren; her great-nieces and great-nephews; her
cousins; her friends; and her special schnauzer, Sasha;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Desiree F. Gardner-Sankey 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 Desiree Gardner-Sankey as an
expression of our deepest sympathy.