MEMORIAL-DONALD E. BRANDON

104th Regular Session Introduced by Doris Turner

The Illinois Senate recognizes and memorializes Donald Eldridge Brandon for his faith, community service, family leadership, and personal character.

Resolution Adopted

Summary of Bill: SR0800 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Purpose and Intent

SR0800 is a Senate Resolution memorializing and expressing condolences upon the death of Donald Eldridge Brandon, who passed away on May 7, 2026.

The resolution serves as an official, ceremonial recognition by the Illinois Senate of Brandon’s life, character, and impact on family and community.

Key Provisions and Provisions Details

The resolution provides a narrative of Donald Brandon’s life, including:

Birth: March 8, 1938, in Aberdeen, Mississippi, to Joe and Edna Sanders Brandon.
Faith and Community Involvement: Early commitment to faith, attendance at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church; active in Union Baptist Church as an usher; involvement in youth sports (coaching baseball and softball).
Education and Work: Education in Aberdeen Public Schools; Shivers High School graduate; employment as a laborer for Boston Richie Deluxe General Hauling and as a security guard for Lincoln Land Community College and other State of Illinois security contractors.
Personal Life: Married to Charlotte Brown, later to Arlene Haley Williams; nicknames “Uncle Duck” and “PaPa Don”; strong work ethic and deep sense of family pride.
Skills and Interests: Athletic (baseball and football), sportsman (hunting and fishing), skilled cook (preparing foods from hunted, grown, or caught ingredients).
Family: Preceded in death by his parents, his second wife Arlene, his son Donald, and siblings Joe Brandon Jr. and Velma Rucker; survived by sisters Gladys Richie and Betty White, sister-in-law Janie Brandon, stepchildren Roy Williams, Michael (Doris) Williams, Tina (Tony) Crawford, Debra (Lorenzo) Link, Donna Ester, three grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.

The resolution states formal acts of mourning and condolences:

Adopted as an official expression of sympathy by the Illinois Senate.
A suitable copy of the resolution will be presented to Brandon’s family.

Affected Parties

Primary: The family and friends of Donald Eldridge Brandon.

Secondary: The Illinois Senate and constituents who value formal expressions of recognition for community members.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Action History:

May 13, 2026: Co-Sponsor (all Senators) and referral to Resolutions Consent Calendar.
May 13, 2026: Filed with Secretary.
May 14, 2026: Resolution Adopted.

Sponsor: Co-sponsor Doris Turner.

SR0800 is a memorial resolution, not a bill proposing statutory changes or appropriations; its effect is ceremonial recognition and public record.

Impact and Implications

Social/Community Impact: Official acknowledgment of Brandon’s life and contributions to his faith community, youth sports, and work. Provides a historical record of his service and character.

No fiscal impact or policy changes; purely ceremonial with symbolic value for family, friends, and the broader community.