Bill Text: MS HR13 | 2015 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Resolution 13 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Betty Faye Brunt McGrath; commend life and legacy of.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-01-30 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR13 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2015-HR13-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Brown (66th)

House Resolution 13

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF BETTY FAYE BRUNT MCGRATH, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, on January 22, 2015, the Legislature and the State of Mississippi sadly lost a highly respected public servant and daughter of our state with the passing of Betty Faye Brunt McGrath of Jackson, Mississippi, a bright and spirited woman who lived her 80 years with integrity and generosity to others; and

WHEREAS, born on September 15, 1934, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, to Hilliard Lester and Naomi Vallie Brunt, Betty graduated from Central High School in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1952, and then in 1956, she graduated from her beloved alma mater, Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, with a bachelor's degree in psychology; and

WHEREAS, Betty valued education very highly, and throughout her life, she was driven to learn and acquire knowledge, as evidenced by her pursuit of two master's degrees, enrollment in classes at several universities and Mississippi College (formerly the Jackson School of Law), and her lifelong self-education through independent study and research on many different subject matters; and

WHEREAS, after marrying Raymond Joseph McGrath in 1961, in San Francisco, California, the lifelong and loving partnership that Betty shared with Raymond was enhanced by the addition of their son Hoyt, and all who knew Betty were very aware that the pride and joy of her life was her family, including Hoyt's wife, Melinda, and their children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Betty started her career at Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia, and traveled around the world�-including visits to Paris, France; Havana, Cuba; and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, before she entered public service, where she contributed to many important governmental initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Betty sincerely believed in the importance and value of public service, as evidenced by her rich and storied career in that venue, where her sharp mind and analytical skills were a significant asset, and she became known to her colleagues as a strong, principled person with an outstanding work ethic and a refreshing straightforward style of communicating; and

WHEREAS, an accomplished and dedicated public servant, Betty served with distinction in the legislative and executive branches of state government in both Mississippi and Florida, including the following posts: Public Relations Director at the Mississippi Department of Corrections; Director of Information at the Florida Department of Corrections, where she was recognized as a distinguished public official; Executive Assistant to the Mississippi Senate Finance Committee; State Travel Director at the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, until her retirement from full-time service in 1997; and Administrative Assistant in the Legislative Services Office of the Mississippi House of Representatives post-retirement; and

WHEREAS, her service to the Mississippi State Legislature included stints with both the State Senate and the House of Representatives, and was particularly notable because of the important contributions she made to the legislative process, all without seeking any special recognition or personal accolades for those contributions; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her generosity in working toward the public good in her career, Betty had a heart of gold and was very generous in sharing her blessings with others privately, regularly helping and nurturing those in need, both financially and in other uplifting ways; and

WHEREAS, Betty possessed a great sense of humor and was known for her quick wit and infectious laugh, for seeing the positives in every situation, and for living life to the fullest; and

WHEREAS, in her retirement, Betty cared for her grandchildren, attending most of their school and sports events; enjoyed traveling, sewing, cross-stitching, needle pointing, painting, drawing, gardening, scrapbooking and making pottery; and taught these skills and loves to her grandchildren and many friends; and

WHEREAS, Betty is survived by her husband, Ray; her son and daughter-in-law, Hoyt and Melinda McGrath; her grandchildren and their spouses, Jacob McGrath, Morgan and Margaret Holland, and Tommy and Katherine Copeland; her great-grandchild, Autumn Copeland; and her brothers, Billy Merrill Brunt and Chris Stanton Brunt; and

WHEREAS, Betty left this world too soon and will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her, and she will be remembered as a passionate and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, as well as for the high standards of excellence that she sought for herself and others in her life; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commemorate outstanding Mississippians such as Betty Faye Brunt McGrath, whose life of commitment to family, friends and the public good is the epitome of a life well-lived to which all citizens of our state may aspire:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Betty Faye Brunt McGrath of Jackson, Mississippi, and extend deepest heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Raymond J. McGrath, to Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt McGrath and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.