Bro. Cleveland "Sonny" Gordon

Mr. Cleveland "Sonny" Gordon, Sr., 81, was born on April 14, 1940 in Money, Mississippi, the third of five children born to Pleasant Gordon, Sr. and Mabel Banks Gordon. He made a peaceful transition from life to life everlasting on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 surrounded by family. Sonny as he was called by family and friends, was educated in the Peoria public school system and attended Illinois Community College. Sonny married Annie Jo Hunter Gordon in 1969. To their forty-year union, two children were born, Jamal Gordon and the Honorable Jehan Gordon (Derrick) Booth. Together they blended their lives and harmoniously created a family unit that included eight children. Annie Jo took her wings in 2009 leaving a legacy of love for family and community. Her civic contributions live on in perpetuity. January 18, 2014, First Gentleman Cleveland Gordon and Presiding Elder Elaine were joined in holy matrimony. Elder Gordon added three more children to the family. It was the best season for each of them. Together, they traveled extensively, explored their common passion for good food, good music, a game of bid whist, and a love of good old-fashioned family gatherings. They shared precious moments in Sonny’s blue-ribbon garden. Nothing Sonny loved more than fishing in Stone Lake at Camp Baber, traveling the connectional AME church, connecting with people from around the world. He genuinely loved people and did not meet strangers. Sonny took great joy and pride in growing greens or mixing up a batch of fried corn to share with Mother Delores Kennedy Williams with whom he shared a love of cooking. A life-long learner, he continued to take courses in environmental science and would retire as an environmental officer for Peoria Disposal Company (PDC) where he worked for twenty years. Before PDC, Sonny worked at Pabst Brewery for thirteen years until the brewery closed its doors in 1981. Born the son of a sharecropper, Sonny adopted a strong work orientation early in his life and lived out what he believed, “get to work on time, put in a good day’s work, and do the job better than anyone else”. Sonny, as he was widely known, accepted Christ early and was baptized in the creek at age nine. He was steeped in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ at the guidance of parents who were active supporters and workers in the church. He was a sixty year member of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and joined Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, January 12, 2014 to serve with his wife, Presiding Elder Elaine P. Gordon. Sonny served as a faithful Trustee of Ward Chapel, an active member of Ministers, Spouses, Widow and Widowers Organization (MSWAWO), the Lay Organization, and Sons of Allen. Sonny loved Sunday School and Bible study. Even in the COVID-19 season, Sonny logged in every Sunday until the last Sunday of his earthly life. He was a tither, a believer in offerings above and beyond the tithe, and putting in work in His Father’s House. Sonny was a proud long-time member of Henry Brown Lodge #22 PHA. Cleveland Sonny Gordon leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Presiding Elder Elaine P. Gordon, a sister Georgia Mae Little, a brother Sylvester (Roberta) Gordon, five sons: Jonathon Johnson, Cleveland L. (Jamie) Gordon, Jamal Gordon, Joseph Murphy, Howard (Aisha) Walters; five daughters: Shando Faulkner (Don) Harris, Chantay (Corey) Gray, Antoinette (Cornelius) Donald, Shelleye Murphy, Jehan (Derrick) Booth; 17 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Banks Gordon and his father, Pleasant Gordon, Sr., two brothers, Willie L. Gordon and Pleasant Gordon, Jr., brother-in-law, James Little, a sister-in-law, Ruth Gordon, and a son, Joel Johnson. Sonny was truly “a man after God’s own heart” who deeply loved his family, his church, and his God. He could be counted on to turn any moment into an opportunity to minister with sage wisdom, simple Mississippi-boy truths, and a good laugh. His unique ministry of love, loyalty, and laughter will be missed, but will live on in all of those whom he touched. A visitation from 5pm – 7pm on Friday, April 30, 2021 at New Morning Star M.B. Church. The funeral service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at New Morning Star M.B. Church with a visitation prior at 9 am. Pastor Adrian Johnson of Ward Chapel A.M.E. will officiate. Sonny will be laid to rest at Swan Lake Memory Gardens. A visitation from 5pm – 7pm on Friday, April 30, 2021 at New Morning Star M.B. Church. The funeral service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at New Morning Star M.B. Church with a visitation prior at 9 am. Pastor Adrian Johnson of Ward Chapel A.M.E. will officiate. Sonny will be laid to rest at Swan Lake Memory Gardens. Charitable donations may be made in his memory to Illinois CancerCare Foundation, Peoria, IL. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com. The service will be live streamed on Simons Mortuary's Website or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Simons-Mortuary-232095303487150 promptly AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing and attendance limits will be observed. In accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Funerals are limited to no more than 50% of the capacity of the sanctuary or less. To be consistent with recommendations from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), funeral home directors have been instructed and should follow CDC guidelines on gatherings, including those directly related to funerals, visitations, or graveside services. *In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we ask that everyone in attendance: wear a face mask and refrain from hugging, kissing and shaking hands (as hard as it is to see someone you care about and not touch them). *It is our responsibility as a Funeral Directors, to do everything we can to advise families in order to honor our beloved Families and to keep everyone as safe as possible. The sanctuary can socially distance and seat 50% of the capacity of the church. All others will be able to flow through prior to beginning of the service. Thanks in advance for your cooperation! The Services for Bro. Cleveland "Sonny" Gordon Visitation Friday, April 30, 2021 - 5-7 PM New Morning Star M.B. Church Celebration of Life Saturday, May 1, 2021 - 10:00 AM Visitation: 9:00 AM New Morning Star M.B. Church Expressions of Love can be sent to: Presiding Elder Elaine Gordon 821 South Kickapoo Lane, Peoria, IL 61604 Email: southdistrict.indiana@gmail.com Charitable Donations Can be made in his memory to: Illinois CancerCare Foundation: www.illinoiscarefoundation.org 309-243-3437 Letters and Resolutions may be sent to Simons Mortuary 912 W. John H. Gwynn, Jr., Avenue, Peoria, IL 61605 Email: info@simonsmortuary.com. Fax: 309-674-2804 Please send flowers directly to New Morning Star M. B. Church.

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Bro. Cleveland "Sonny" Gordon

April 14, 1940 - April 21, 2021