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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Sterling D. Grandberry of Oak Park, who 
4passed away on October 28, 2017; and
  
                 
5    WHEREAS, Sterling Grandberry was born in Macon, Tennessee 
6to A.D. and Norsie (Hunter) Grandberry on June 7, 1933; he  was 
7raised in Chicago by the late Jasper and Lottie Parrish and 
8attended Chicago Public Schools; he graduated from Manley High 
9School and then served in the United States Army as a Head Chef 
10during the Korean War, until his honorable discharge in 
11December 1956; he married Ethel Lee Gillerson and, after her 
12death, married Debra Mabone; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Sterling Grandberry worked as the Head Chef at 
14Henrici's Restaurant in the 1950s; during this time, he also 
15owned and operated a television repair shop; he was the owner 
16of G&E Restaurants and also managed many Chicagoland rental 
17properties; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Sterling Grandberry served on the Board of the 
19Pyramid West Development Corporation for 21 years, an agency 
20that managed rehabbed housing units and employed many people in 
21need of assistance; he was a member of the Friendship Baptist 
22Church in Chicago for over 70 years; he served as a member of 
 
 
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1the Beautifying Club, as a Trustee, as a Layman, and as an 
2ordained Deacon; he also took great pride in working in the 
3church kitchen preparing and serving recipes "made from 
4scratch"; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Sterling Grandberry was known as a 
6jack-of-all-trades; he was driven and determined; he will be 
7remembered as a great provider, protector, and someone who 
8could be counted on by family, friends, and strangers alike; 
9and
  
 







  
10    WHEREAS, Sterling Grandberry was preceded in death by his 
11parents; and his first wife, Ethel; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Sterling Grandberry is survived by his wife, Debra 
13Mabone-Grandberry; his children, Sharon Sims, Steve 
14Grandberry, Mary Grandberry, Katia (Benjamin) Wolff, and his 
15special Godson, Reverend Marlon (Felicia) Winfrey; his 
16grandchildren, Madison Grandberry and Natalee Sims; his 
17siblings, Josie (Arthur) Leniear, Katie (James) Jordan, and 
18Thomas, A.D., and J.B. Grandberry; and his many nieces and 
19nephews; therefore, be it
  
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
22Sterling D. Grandberry and extend our sincere condolences to 
 
 
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1his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
2further
  
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
4presented to the family of Sterling Grandberry as an expression 
5of our deepest sympathy.