MEMORIAL-REV. JANIS A. SHARPE

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0607

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SR0607
LRB104 18553 ECR 31996 r
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3
to learn of the death of Reverend Janis Arlene Sharpe, who
4
passed away on January 8, 2026; and

5

WHEREAS, Rev. Sharpe was born in Chicago on April 11,
6
1936; she was raised on Chicago's Southside; she received
7
multiple degrees and certifications, including master's
8
degrees in Christian Education and Divinity from Northern
9
Baptist Theological Seminary; and

10

WHEREAS, Rev. Sharpe served as an ordained elder in the
11
African Methodist Episcopal Church and as senior pastor and
12
director of the Sojourner Truth Learning Center, formerly
13
known as St. Mark Day Care and After School Program, providing
14
employment, care, and educational support to countless
15
families in the community; she, along with her husband,
16
co-founded what would become St. Mark AME Church on Chicago's
17
West Side, and she continued to serve at Carey Tercentenary
18
AME Church in her later years; and

19

WHEREAS, Rev. Sharpe held numerous leadership roles within
20
the City of Chicago during both administrations of Mayor
21
Richard M. Daley, including on the Chicago Board of Education
22
and as a pension trustee; she also worked extensively in

SR0607
- 2 -
LRB104 18553 ECR 31996 r
1
political advocacy, believing deeply that faith and justice
2
must walk hand in hand; and

3

WHEREAS, Rev. Sharpe's work as a playwright, producer, and
4
choir director produced original productions that filled
5
sanctuaries and inspired people across Chicago; and

6

WHEREAS, Rev. Sharpe was a lifelong servant-leader whose
7
faith, intellect, and courage shaped generations across
8
Chicago and beyond; she was a revered pastor, educator,
9
playwright, and civic leader who devoted more than six decades
10
to ministry, community development, and public service; and

11

WHEREAS, Rev. Sharpe was preceded in death by her
12
daughter, Paulette Elizabeth Ragland; and

13

WHEREAS, Rev. Sharpe leaves behind a large and loving
14
family, two congregations, and a vast, spiritual community;
15
therefore, be it

16

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
17
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
18
Reverend Janis Arlene Sharpe and extend our sincere
19
condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
20
her; and be it further

SR0607
- 3 -
LRB104 18553 ECR 31996 r
1

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2
presented to the family of Rev. Sharpe as an expression of our
3
deepest sympathy.

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