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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING MR. ALBERT JAMES HENSON
WHEREAS, Albert James Henson, affectionately called “Sonny,” by friends and family, was born September 26, 1939, to John Allen Henson and Flora Sanders Henson in Kilmichael, Mississippi. He was their second child of fourteen children.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson’s parents and four siblings, Birdeen Henson Campbell, Joe H. Henson, Morrell Henson Roper and Rachel Henson Gilbert, preceded him in death.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson loved hunting, fishing, and taking long walks. As a small boy, he was baptized at Bethlehem M.B. Church and maintained his Christian faith and belief in Jesus Christ throughout his life. Though raised Baptist, Mr. Henson joined the United Church of Hyde Park where he was an active member and reliable willing worker in his later years.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson was an academic and very athletic. Mr. Henson graduated with honors from Old Mount Zion High School (Later re-named Kilmichael High) in 1957 where he played basketball. He immediately left home and joined the U.S. Army receiving an honorable discharge in 1960 before settling in Chicago. Mr. Henson studied at Chicago’s city colleges and became a master carpenter. Mr. Henson’s woodwork was absolutely stunning and often included intricate carvings paying homage to West Africa.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson met a young nurse while working at Michael Reese Hospital and the pair would marry in a double wedding ceremony in 1962 with the Fuller family. The Hensons settled down on the city’s South Side. Described as “movie star handsome,” Mr. Henson became a 33rd degree Mason and reached the pinnacle of the organization’s leadership. He was also a Shriner and volunteered for many years as a Cub Scout leader. Many years later he remarried.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson loved road trips and travelled extensively throughout the United States, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe. Mr. Henson was a huge Chicago Cubs fan and loved professional boxing, basketball and tennis. Mr. Henson also received numerous awards throughout his life.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson was active in his community believing African Americans must stand up for themselves, be independent, and practice self-determination. Mr. Henson was a member of the NAACP and Operation PUSH. Mr. Henson would take his children to rallies and to Black Expo events at the Chicago Amphitheatre. It was not unusual for him to flip between gospel and soul music radio stations, to listen to WVON where he would hear his favorite personality Lu Palmer talk about the issues of the day. Mr. Henson often talked about the time he “ran into Malcolm X” when the fiery leader was in Chicago. Mr. Henson was among the 100,000 people who packed into Soldier’s Field to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson owned a construction company and took pride in putting people to work. Mr. Henson also worked full-time in corporate security for Sears and Roebuck company for several decades. As he aged, Mr. Henson put more focus on attending graduations, special events, and ceremonies for his immediate and extended family. Mr. Henson loved showering his grandchildren with Christmas presents and would often show up on birthdays, with a bag of goodies for his grandchildren.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson was a voracious reader passing down his passion for knowledge, clarity, and wisdom to his three children.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson departed this life on May 20, 2020 after a lengthy illness, complicated by exposure to the novel coronavirus. He was eighty years old.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson leaves to cherish his memory: Daughter Stephanie Henson-Gadlin, sons Alaric J. Henson, Sr. and Steven (Candice) Henson Adkin, Sr.; grandchildren, Nairobi (David) Henson Maddox, Yusuf (Ladetra) Gadlin, Alexander J. Henson, Niara K. Gadlin, Xavier K. Gadlin, Steven Adkins, Jr., Amarie Adkins, Ashton Adkins and Alaric J. Henson, Jr.; great grandchildren, Khadijah, David Jr., Zamaria, Zaniya, Onyx, Zuri and Zaire, siblings John A. Henson, Otha (Lillie) Henson, Sr., Dorothy (Dell) Coffey, Samuel (Annette) L. Henson, Shirley Henson, Bobby Henson, Henry (Betty) L. Henson, Jim (Eve) Henson, Matt (Janese) Henson; brothers-in-law Leroy Campbell and Leo Roper; sister-in-law Marvis Henson; great aunt Annie Ruth Henson Campbell, and a large number of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BILL LOWRY, COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER of the 3rd DISTRICT, do hereby stand, and salute the remarkable life of Mr. Albert James Henson; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a suitable copy of this Resolution will be presented to the family of Mr. Albert James Henson; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: a copy of this Resolution will be filed within the Office of Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry 3rd District.
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