Bill Text: MS HR102 | 2017 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Resolution 102 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Moran McLelland Pope, Jr.; commend life and legacy upon his passing.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2017-03-28 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR102 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2017-HR102-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Barker, Watson, Johnson (87th), Touchstone

House Resolution 102

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MORAN MCLELLAND POPE, JR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Moran McLelland Pope, Jr., to eternal rest on March 2, 2017, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the Hattiesburg community lost a great man, former mayor, lawyer and community supporter with the passing of Mr. Pope, who was born on October 7, 1922; and

WHEREAS, a native of Columbia, Mississippi, Mr. Pope graduated from Demonstration High School in 1940 and then "walked up to hill" to Mississippi Southern College where he met the love of his life, Yvonne Hamilton, at a dance on campus his freshman year and later graduated in 1943 with a bachelor of arts; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from MSC, Mr. Pope joined the United States Navy, and dutifully served in the South Pacific until his discharge in 1946; and

WHEREAS, after returning from the war, Mr. Pope attended the University of Mississippi School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor in May 1948, and he immediately opened his own law practice in Hattiesburg in June that same year; and

WHEREAS, in 1953, Mr. Pope was elected Mayor of Hattiesburg and served in that role until 1957 when he joined the law firm of Simrall, Aultman and Pope, a predecessor firm to Pope and Pope, P.A., and continued to practice law with his son Moran III (Randy) into his 80s; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pope's connections with the University of Southern Mississippi ran deep, and he was an Incorporator of the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation, serving as President for more than 20 years from its inception in 1959; and

WHEREAS, after serving twice as President of the Southern Miss Alumni Association, the association named its highest award in his honor: The Moran Pope Meritorious Service Award; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his roles with Southern Miss, Mr. Pope's activities included memberships in many civic groups and professional associations; and

WHEREAS, in 1984, Mr. Pope chaired a community committee to stage the first week-long "Good Life Down South Festival," which later developed into "Hub Fest," and he also chaired two C.S. Lewis Festivals in the 1980s and 1990s that brought world-renowned C.S. Lewis scholars to Hattiesburg; and

WHEREAS, among the more lasting contributions of Mr. Pope to the Hattiesburg community were his serving on committees for the restoration and renovation of Downtown Hattiesburg, the Forrest County Chancery Court Building and the Forrest County Courthouse, and co-chairing the Library Bond Issue Committee; and

WHEREAS, in his later years, Mr. Pope helped organize The Jolly Boys, a group of 15-18 men who meet weekly at The Front Porch Barbecue and Seafood Restaurant for story telling and camaraderie; and The Algonquin Trio, a small group of men who met on Friday afternoons to discuss ideas; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life, Mr. Pope loved spending time with friends and family and traveling, which he continued to do even in his 90s when he visited England and New York City, and up until the weeks before his passing when he visited Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Oxford, Mississippi, to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who have passed before him, including his wife of 68 years, Yvonne, the legacy of Mr. Pope will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: son, Randy; daughter, Melinda DeRocker; grandchildren, Lucy Schultze and Valerie Cullaton; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Eliza Schultze and Emma Cullaton; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the lives of great Mississippians, such as Mr. Pope, whose contributions to the Hattiesburg community and the University of Southern Mississippi will never be forgotten:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mr. Moran McLelland Pope, Jr., and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Moran McLelland Pope, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.