SR0923 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0923 LRB097 23012 MST 71819 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Clarence Henry Smithson, who passed away on September 18, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Smithson was born on November 4, 1931, to John Lee and Lou Ora Smithson, the eighth child of 10; he attended St. Vincent de Paul grade school, Immaculate Mother High School, and Xavier University in New Orleans; he received his bachelors of science degree in biology and his master's degree in science education from Tennessee A&I State University; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Smithson married Abbie on July 17, 1952, her birthday; they soon had 3 daughters, Janice, Jacquelyn, and Jean; he bragged that he named all 3 daughters; 10 years later they had two sons, Clarence Jr. and Clarence III; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Smithson served as a medic in the United States Armed Forces from August 1953 to August 1955, at Fort Knox, Kentucky; he worked as a lab technician at Vanderbuilt University and taught biology at Cameron High School; he then went to work for World Book Encyclopedia and worked for them for 31 years in various managerial positions, until retiring in 1991; he met every sales goal and won several contests at World Book Encyclopedia, and in 1961 won the coveted Flying Circus Award, which came with a trip around the world for 30 days; he and Abbie would see France, England, Egypt, Thailand, India, and Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Smithson and Abbie moved to Country Club Hills in 1980; they were members of St. Emeric's Catholic Church and have been involved in several ministries; in 1982, Clarence and Abbie welcomed their daughter, Janice and their granddaughters, Toi and Briana, into their home to live; in October of 1997, Clarence and Abbie were honored by the diocese with the Tolton Award for Catholic stewardship and service; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Smithson and Abbie purchased 7 homes through the years, and Clarence enjoyed spending his time revamping and rebuilding the basements of these homes to create recreation rooms for his family and friends to enjoy; he was an avid pool player, and enjoyed listening to music and playing table tennis with anyone who came into his home; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Smithson was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lou Ora; his siblings, John Smithson Jr., Mary Craighead, Launa Craighead, and Lael Fields; and his two sons, Clarence Jr. and Clarence III; and

WHEREAS, Clarence Smithson is survived by his wife, Abbie; his daughters, Janice (Elbert) Heno, Jacquelyn Howard, and Jean Smithson-Bell; his grandchildren, Toi (Paul) Hutchinson, Briana (David) Ramsey, Dwight Howard II, Jordan Bell, and Joseph Bell; his great-grandchildren, Paul Hutchinson Jr., Camryn Hutchinson, Ryan Hutchinson, Diondre Howard, and David Ramsey Jr.; his sisters, Dorcas Alley, Verleon Grant, Kitty Haswell, and Sister Sandra Smithson; and more than 400 nieces and nephews spanning 5 generations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Clarence Smithson, and we 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 Clarence Smithson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.