Bill Text: MS HR15 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mrs. Mary Alma Chess King; commend life and legacy upon her passing.
Sponsorship: Broadly Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-01-25 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR15 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HR15-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: The Entire Membership
House Resolution 15
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. MARY ALMA CHESS KING, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.
WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Mary Alma Chess King, to eternal rest, as she has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, community leader, Christian and educator on Sunday, January 20, 2013, with the passing of Mrs. King, who was born in Copiah County, Mississippi, as the eldest of seven children born to the late James and Barbara Chess; and
WHEREAS, looking for better opportunities, her family of share croppers moved to Washington County during her early childhood where they joined the St. Phillips A.M.E. Church, and when Mary Alma was six years old, the family moved to Greenville, Mississippi, and joined the St. Matthews A.M.E. Church; and WHEREAS, she attended the Greenville Public Schools where she was an excellent student and graduated with honors, upon which enrolled in Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, where she earned the bachelor of arts degree in English in the class of 1937 and met her future husband, Bishop Wendell King; and
WHEREAS, after graduation, she returned home and began working in the public schools, later enrolling in Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she earned the master of arts in English, and she also pursued additional studies at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, where she earned a certification in library science; and
WHEREAS, a committed educator who devoted 41 years to teaching young Mississippians before retiring in 1978, Mrs. King was a member of the Greenville Association of Educators, the Mississippi Association of Educators, the National Association of Educators and the National Council of Teachers of English; and
WHEREAS, she was the longest tenured member of St. Matthews A.M.E. Church, which she served in many capacities, including the Director of the Allen Christian Endeavor League, Sunday school teacher, Member of the Turner Missionary Society, missionary teacher and stewardess, and her work demonstrated her belief in, and support of, God's teachings; and
WHEREAS, in March 2011, the Greenville Arts Council recognized her unique contribution to education with its Arts in Education Award, and in presenting her with the award, the Arts Council offered these insights into her commitment and motivation: "She was dedicated to her students, teaching classes during the day and spending her afternoons working with students after school to practice plays, operettas and poetic presentations. If the school's hours were not enough, she invited students into her home for one-on-one practice. Even during her busy teaching schedule, Mary Alma found time to empower her students and broaden their perspective on the importance of education and the arts. Children were always foremost in her mind; she wanted them to be able to function in an ever-changing society."; and
WHEREAS, she made one demand of her students, "Always do your best. When you have done your best, there is nothing else to do," and at the time of her death she was the oldest living alumnus of Rust College, whose motto, "By their fruits ye shall know them," she took to heart, and worked diligently to make sure that her efforts reflected well on Rust College; and
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, three brothers and a granddaughter, Kirsten Cartlidge-Wade; and
WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon her arrival to the celestial shores of heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mrs. King's memory, which if put to music, would be a majestic symphonic masterpiece composed by the Holy Trinity, will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: two daughters, Esther (Ira) Dorsett and Helen Cartlidge, both of Greenville, Mississippi; three sons, Colonel Wendell(Hazel)King, of Jackson, Mississippi, Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Leslie (Patricia) King, of Greenville, Mississippi, Attorney Michael (Brenda) King, of Cleveland, Ohio; ten grandchildren: Arthur Cartlidge, Jr., of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Ira (Denise) Dorsett of Mandeville, Louisiana, Dr. Michaela King, of New Orleans, Louisiana; Byron Cartlidge of Greenville, Mississippi; Darnielle King-Duncan of Greenville, Mississippi, Jonathan (Cerise) King of Atlanta, Georgia; Meredith King of Cleveland, Ohio; Bethany King of Jackson, Mississippi, Mallori King and Colin King of Cleveland, Ohio; nine great-grandchildren, Alexia, Amber, Mara, Ira III, Byron, Jayden, Aniyah, Chandler and Mikelty; one great-great-grandchild, Alex; a sister, Barbara Gaston of Jackson, Mississippi; one special friend, Phalange Word of Greenville, Mississippi; one godson, George P. Johnson of Augusta, Georgia; her loyal and devoted care givers, Denita Wilson, Ethel Murray, Mary O'Neal and Carrie Henry; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, students, and church members; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. King was a loyal educator of this great state, and it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selfless humanitarianism of an individual of her esteemed caliber who devoted her life to teaching the youth, who are its future:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Mary Alma Chess King to whose family we express sincere and deepest sympathy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. King and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
