Bill Text: MS HR19 | 2016 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mrs. Martha Nell Johnson "Coach" Dedrick; mourn loss and commemorate life upon passing.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2016-02-10 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR19 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HR19-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Watson
House Resolution 19
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. MARTHA NELL JOHNSON "COACH" DEDRICK AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.
WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on Thursday, January 28, 2016, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Martha Nell Johnson "Coach" Dedrick to eternal rest, causing great sorrow and loss to her family and many friends; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hattiesburg and surrounding communities of Forrest County, lost a true gem in the passing of beloved educator and coach, Mrs. Dedrick, a Hub City native born on February 23, 1947, to Mrs. Sarah E. and Mr. Milton Lee Johnson, as she now enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and
WHEREAS, from her humble beginnings in Hattiesburg, Mrs. Dedrick was the recipient of a stern advocacy for education imparted by her parents, and was educated in the basic educational rudiments and the ethical values encompassed in the importance of work, family, community and the love of God attending before graduation from Rowan High School in 1964; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of her formal education Mrs. Dedrick began working for the Reliance Factory before her insatiable thirst for knowledge compelled her to enroll at Coahoma Junior College, and subsequent thereto at William Carey College, where her academic prowess resulted in the receipt of a bachelor's degree in physical education; and
WHEREAS, driven by the truism presented in Proverbs 18:15, "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge," she was consumed with a desire to mold the minds of the younger generation and began her illustrious teaching career as a physical education teacher and basketball and track coach in the Hattiesburg Public School District at Hawkins Junior High School and Thames Elementary School, from which she retired in 2010 and also dedicated more than 20 years to the ARC; and
WHEREAS, Coach Dedrick's tenure in education spanned the course of 38 years, and consisted of her passion for molding the framework for excellence in students, parents and teachers alike that established her as a revered and influential educator in every capacity of service, as evidenced by the receipt of numerous honors and awards; and
WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to the building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the Great Deity and grand architect of our lives' design Coach Dedrick's heart was pierced by the love, chivalry and affection of Coach Percy Dedrick, Jr., and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony for sixteen years until God orchestrated that they should only be parted by death when as written in the holy word; and
WHEREAS, a lifelong conveyor of learning and outstanding advocate for education whose cardinal guidance, devoted leadership and encouraging words represented an illuminated beacon of promise throughout Hattiesburg, Mrs. Dedrick strove to ensure that all of her pupils reached their potential, fulfilled their dreams and achieved greatness, wholeheartedly believing that their successes were tied to her preparedness; 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 Coach Dedrick will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: sisters, Mildred Johnson Watts and Rosa Lynn Ford; stepson, Andrew Warren Mott, Jr.; four nieces, Zebrina Jarman, Airian T. Ford, Belinda "Nikki" Morey and Zoee Clayton; nephew, Christopher K. Watts; two great nieces; and a host of other family and devoted friends; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the lives of fine educators in Mississippi, especially those such as Mrs. Dedrick, an exhilarating and keen intellectual whose educational prowess inspired those around her and brought great honor to the State of Mississippi:
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. Martha Nell Johnson "Coach" Dedrick, and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mildred Johnson Watts, Rosa Lynn Ford, Andrew Warren Mott, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
