HR0847 LRB102 27385 ECR 39175 r
1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3		Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Desiree
4		F. Gardner-Sankey, who passed away on April 12, 2022; and
5		WHEREAS, Desiree Gardner-Sankey was born to Shirley and
6		Nettie J. Fortenberry in Columbia, Mississippi on July 4,
7		1931; in an environment of separate schools and segregated
8		lunch counters, she excelled both as a student and star
9		athlete at Burglund High School in McComb, Mississippi; in her
10		senior year, she led her all-girls basketball team to win the
11		state's Big Ten Championship; she married James H. Sankey Sr.,
12		and their long marriage was one of love and laughter; and
13		WHEREAS, While in high school, Desiree Gardner-Sankey
14		worked as a window decorator at a local clothing store and was
15		soon trained to become a store clerk; on her first day as a
16		salesperson, every white salesperson refused to work with her,
17		walked off the floor, and resigned; after moving to Chicago to
18		escape the oppression of the South, she worked at Roxy
19		Cleaners on 43rd Street; later, she worked the overnight shift
20		at Montgomery Ward, followed by a short stint at Spencer Press
21		until the press relocated to Westmont; in 1965, she began her
22		notable career at the U.S. Post Office as a part-time employee
23		but quickly rose through the ranks to become a supervisor at

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

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1		Shirley (Rodney) Williams and Chervonda Fortenberry; her
2		cousins, Barbara (Leo) Lowery, Billy McCorkle Sr., Patsy
3		Jefferson, and Mary Jacobs (Earl) Oubre; her
4		great-grandchildren; her great-nieces and great-nephews; her
5		cousins; her friends; and her special schnauzer, Sasha;
6		therefore, be it
7		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
8		HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
9		we mourn the passing of Desiree F. Gardner-Sankey and extend
10		our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who
11		knew and loved her; and be it further
12		RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13		presented to the family of Desiree Gardner-Sankey as an
14		expression of our deepest sympathy.