MEMORIAL-RAYMOND SMITH JR.

104th Regular Session Introduced by Elgie Sims

The bill expresses formal condolences and honors the life and community service of Raymond Smith Jr., recognizing his faith, volunteer work, and leadership.

Resolution Adopted

Summary of SR0805 (104th General Assembly, Illinois) – Memorial Resolution for Raymond Smith Jr.

Purpose and intent

SR0805 is a Senate memorial resolution recognizing and mourning the death of Raymond Smith Jr., who passed away on March 2, 2026.

The resolution serves to honor his life, community contributions, and service, and to extend condolences to his family and loved ones.

Sponsored in the Senate by (primary) and Co-sponsored by Elgie Sims.

Key provisions and changes

The resolution records a formal expression of sympathy from the Illinois Senate to Raymond Smith Jr.’s family.

It details biographical information, including birthplace (Etta, Mississippi), date of birth (February 18, 1935), education, marriage, and family.

It outlines Mr. Smith’s career history (maintenance worker and later binary press controller at Photo Press; later at International Paper; retirement in June 2000).

It highlights community service and leadership roles:

Religious/community involvement: usher board member, ordained deacon, trustee on church board; later active deacon at a second church.
Volunteerism: long-time volunteer with Catholic Charities; recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the Daily Journal of Kankakee (with his wife) for 17 years of service.
Civic/community life: known as an avid gardener who shared harvests with neighbors and the community.

It lists survivors and family members (spouse Mattie Mae Smith; children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and extended relatives).

The resolution concludes with:

An expression of condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.
A directive that a suitable copy be presented to the family as an expression of deepest sympathy.

Who would be affected

Raymond Smith Jr. and his immediate and extended family receive formal recognition and condolences from the Illinois Senate.

The broader Illinois community is informed of his public service and character through the memorial.

No fiscal impact, policy changes, or regulatory effects are associated with memorial resolutions; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The document is a Senate resolution (SR0805) in the 104th Illinois General Assembly.

It represents a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than substantive legislation.

The resolution includes standard memorial language acknowledging an individual’s life and contributions and directing the publication of the copy to the family.

Notable details

Birthplace and date: Raymond Smith Jr., born February 18, 1935, in Etta, Mississippi.

Death: March 2, 2026.

Notable life facts: long-time community volunteer, multiple church leadership roles, family advocate, gardener, and recognized volunteer by a local newspaper’s Volunteer of the Year award.

Co-sponsor: Elgie Sims.