Bill Text: MS HR18 | 2010 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Bennie L. Rayford, Sr.; commend life and legacy upon his passing.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)
Status: (Passed) 2010-01-29 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR18 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-HR18-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Clark, Espy
House Resolution 18
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MR. BENNIE LEE RAYFORD, SR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, Bennie Lee Rayford, Sr., born June 25, 1926, to the union of the late Reverend J. David Rayford and Mittie Burkhalter Rayford, departed this earthly life to enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father, bringing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, a scholar and a servant, after graduating from Kosciusko High School in 1944, Mr. Rayford was immediately drafted into the United States Navy, serving until 1947, and in the fall of 1948 he enrolled at Alcorn A&M College, now Alcorn State University, earning a bachelor of science degree in industrial arts in 1951 and soon thereafter began a career in education and teaching high school; and
WHEREAS, it was purposed by God that Mr. Rayford would meet Hilda Debro in the fall of 1949 at life's intersection of love and destiny, and in following the Master's plan, the couple was the first to be married at the historical Oakland Memorial Chapel on the campus of Alcorn State University on December 16, 1951, and sojourned to Chicago, Illinois, for two years, before returning to his native Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, upon his return he began working in Friars Point and shortly thereafter was transferred to Quitman County, promoted to principalship in 1954 and served in this capacity until 1957; and
WHEREAS, in tumultuous times when racial tension was at its peak in Mississippi, Mr. Rayford was asked to leave Quitman County and consequently relocated his family to Toledo, Ohio, in the summer of 1957, there taking a position with the Toledo Public School System, later becoming a counselor in the mid-1960s, after earning his master of education degree from the University of Toledo in 1965, and remained in Toledo for 33 years before retiring in 1980 as guidance counselor for both the public and Catholic school systems; and
WHEREAS, the Rayfords returned to the Mississippi Delta permanently in 1989, settling in the Rosebank Community, where Mr. Rayford began to cultivate muscadines, peppers, squash, cucumbers and okra, but extreme weather conditions caused him to abandon the farming project; and
WHEREAS, adamant about staying active in the lighter years of their retirement, both Bennie and Hilda initiated a trajectory in public service, and it was at this time that he was appointed as Chairman of the Holmes County Republican Party and in 1992, he was appointed chairman of the board to Mallory Health Clinics, where he served for approximately 18 years; and
WHEREAS, in addition to these very powerful positions, he was appointed as one of the general board members of the Mississippi Workforce Development Committee, Mississippi Prison Industries Corporation where he served for 18 years, and many years were spent aiding Hilda with the inception of the Rosebank Learning Center, a project encompassing both literacy and arts and crafts programs geared towards senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rayford's entire life was dedicated to serving others, as he was commonly referred to as "The man in the arena," which alluded to his many civic and social involvements as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, both Gamma Pi Chapter (1949) at Alcorn State University and Greenville Alumni Chapter, service as a deacon at Third Baptist Church in Toledo for more than 20 years, as well as a general board member for the Ide Mental Health Center; and
WHEREAS, other noteworthy achievements synonymous with his name include, a run for state representative of Ohio in 1985 and service as a prominent leader in the Jesse Jackson campaign for President in 1984; and
WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life, after enduring life's trials and triumphs, to now stand on golden heavenly shores in a joyous reunion with his parents and son, Bennie Lee, Jr., the rich legacy of his memory and service will be cherished forever in the lives of his loving survivors: devoted wife of 58 years, Hilda Debro Rayford; daughters, Yvonne Rayford Brown, LaVonne Rayford Chestang, Gail Rayford Ambeau; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Gene Rayford; sister, Linda Rayford Allen; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such an outgoing and giving individual as Mr. Rayford, whose service was akin to the work of the Good Samaritan, as he helped someone along the way:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and service of Mr. Bennie Lee Rayford, Sr., 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. Rayford and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
