MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR REVEREND DR. L.R. HENRY II
WHEREAS, God in his infinite wisdom called Reverend Dr. L.R. Henry II, most beloved citizen, to his eternal reward on April 9, 2016 ; and
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Carrie Austin, Alderman of the 34lhWard; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. L.R. Henry II was born on September 5,1927, in New Augusta, Mississippi, the eldest of thirteen children born to die union of Reverend LeRoy Henry, Sr. and Henrolia McCullum. He married the love of his life, Dora Nix on December 25, 1951. To this wonderful union, six children were born; and
WHEREAS, Dr. L.R. Henry accepted Christ at an early age, and loved his family, church, and above all, God. In 1956, LeRoy accepted his calling into the gospel ministry, and was ordained in die gospel ministry in 1961, under the Pastorate of the late Rev. J. P. Gordon, of the St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, Dr. L.R. Henry founded the Mary Magdalene M. B. Church in Cliicago, Illinois. Over time, and with determination and persistence, the ministry grew extensively; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Dr. L.R. Henry remembered his responsibility to mankind, the community, and his faith, hosting fundraisers, food drives, prayer vigils, concerts, and street marches for the improvement of the Roseland Community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. L.R. Henry earned an Associate degree in Religion from the Cliicago Baptist institute in 1978 and a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1980. He went on to receive three prestigious Seven-Year Training Diplomas from the Department of Christian Education of the Baptist Sunday School and Training Union Congress of the National Baptist Publishing Board in 1989. In furtherance of his commitment to the Lord, Dr. L.R. Henry earned his Doctorate of Divinity Degree from the Gospel Ministry Outreach Theological Institute of Houston, Texas, in 1996; and
WHEREAS, During his many years of dedicated work for the Church, he shared his knowledge as a distinguished professor at the Chicago Baptist Institute for more than twenty years. He also made significant contributions to the religious community, serving as First Vice-President of the Illinois Missionary Baptist Convention, Treasurer of the Illinois Missionary Baptist State Convention, First Vice-Moderator of the Northwood River Baptist District Association, Member of the Life-link Housing Corporation's Board of Directors, and as President of the Baptist Ministerial Alliance of Chicago and Vicinity; and
WHEREAS, Dr. L.R. Henry led the Mary Magdalene M. B. Church forty-seven years until retirement, handing over the mantle of pastor to his youngest son, Stephen Henry, in 2009. After retirement and until his passing, he served as Pastor Emeritus of the Church; and
WHEREAS, Dr. L.R. Henry leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of sixty-four years, Dora; sons, LeRoy III (Mecliille), Milton, Warren (Sharon), and Stephen (Tricie); daughters, Irma (John) Jeffries, and Angie (Nathaniel, Jr) Motton; brothers, Samuel, Herbert (Annie Pearl), Earnest (Clara), Daniel, David (Delorcs), Johniel (Sallie), Elijah (Maureen); sisters, Armetta Rankins (Percy), Mary Jones (Cellus), Rosie Bolton (Saul); sisters-in-law, Johnnetta Eichelberger, Pauline Pierce, and Essie Perkins; eleven grandsons, eight granddaughters, and sixteen great grandchildren he affectionately called Paw-Paws, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, Dr. L.R. Henry touched the lives of all who knew him, leaving a legacy of love, determination, and dedication to God. He will be deeply missed, but his memory lives on in his family, flock, friends and countless ministries throughout the country; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, die Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this eighteenth day of May, 2016, do hereby extend our heartfelt condolences to die family of Reverend Dr. L.R. Henrv II; and
Carrie M. Austin Alderman, 34th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution are presented to the family of Reverend Dr. L.R. Henry II as a sign of our honor, gratitude, and respect.
