George Belvey Nesbitt, 90, passed away March 15 in Evanston, IL, devoted husband of the late Josephine Nesbitt, nee Ball; cherished brother of Russell A. and Rozell R. Nesbitt (both deceased), Lendor C. of Fox Lake, WI and Robert B. Nesbitt of Alta Dena, CA; dearly loved uncle of 15 nieces and nephews. A native of Champaign-Urbana, he received his law degree from the University of Illinois and a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University. A groundbreaking lawyer and civil rights activist as early as the 1930’s, George Nesbitt was an ardent defender of the rights of black, poor and working people. He served as deputy assistant to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Kennedy administration, and documented the interracial violence he witnessed as a captain in the U.S. Army. Visitation 9 a.m. and service 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23 at House of Thompson Mortuary, 1917 Asbury Ave. (at Emerson), in Evanston, 847-869-3172. Contributions may be made to the Lucien and Christine Nesbitt Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Champaign County, 404 W. Church St., Champaign, IL 61820.
