Bill Text: MS HR86 | 2017 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Joycelyn Rena Evans Wilson; commend life and legacy upon her passing.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-26 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR86 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-HR86-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Scott
House Resolution 86
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MRS. JOYCELYN RENA EVANS WILSON 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, 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. Joycelyn Rena Evans Wilson, 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, particularly the communities within Jasper and Jones Counties, lost a wonderful friend, educator extraordinaire and community pillar on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, with the passing of Mrs. Wilson, a devoted and resolute servant of God and her fellowman, who possessed an unmitigated affinity for educating and inspiring youth and families to maximize their fullest potential through her selfless approach of paying it forward in both her professional and spiritual capacities of life; and
WHEREAS, born on July 3, 1954, to her late parents, Mr. Nathan and Mrs. Lillie Mae Evans, Mrs. Wilson was a 1972 graduate of Laurel's R.H. Watkins High School, and pursued her career ambitions of becoming an educator by embarking upon her collegiate matriculation at Jones County Junior College, where she obtained an associate of arts degree in 1974, before furthering her postsecondary academic enhancement at the University of Southern Mississippi, Alcorn State University and Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College, where she respectively earned her bachelor of science degree in special education, master of science in administration and doctorate of theology; and
WHEREAS, one who relied heavily on her faith, Mrs. Wilson confessed her belief in Christ at an early age, and remained devout in her Christian service and patronage throughout her life, reflecting her passion for God through her commitment to assisting others and her Christ-like care and concern for the building of the kingdom, an allegiance to which she continued to manifest as a member of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church, where she faithfully served in numerous capacities for 38 years; and
WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the god-head of the Great Deity, Joycelyn's heart was pierced by the love, chivalry and affection of Mr. Jerry Wilson, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony, building a lifetime of memories and imparting the love shared for one another into the lineal fabric of their children and grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, an advocate for education, a cause she championed until the very end of her earthly tenure, Mrs. Wilson's career in education spanned the course of more than three decades, after having first taught in the Harrison County School District in 1976, before sharing her knowledge and expertise with students and families as a special education teacher and subsequently as a principal and curriculum coordinator in Jasper, Jones and Leflore Counties, from Stringer Attendance Center, to Heidelberg, West Jasper to Leflore County and home again to East Jasper, taking a small departure from the classroom to serve as a qualified intellectual disabilities professional for Ellisville State School; and
WHEREAS, a very well organized and business savvy individual, Mrs. Wilson fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening her own catering business, Chase Catering in 2008, to much fanfare and immersed herself in the daily operation of the business as well as serving as an ambassador for economic development in Jasper County through her service on the Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, in Mrs. Wilson's transfiguration from mortality to immortality, she now adorns the raiment of a spiritual bride, awaiting the bridegroom's return in holy anticipation of that wondrous event, as it is written in the book of Revelation 21:1-2 -- "And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."; and
WHEREAS, one who overcame the hardships of life through the loss of a child and battling the health demon of cancer, Mrs. Wilson remained steadfast in her faith and valiant in her fight, finding strength in knowing that "no weapon formed against her would prosper," encouraging others to overcome through the words of her testimony; 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, including her parents and son, Quintyn Wilson, the legacy of Mrs. Wilson'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, including: a devoted husband of 37 years, Jerry Wilson; her children, Jerry Crawford, Nicole Crosby and Jason Wilson; daughters-in-law, Linda Crawford and Nicki Ross; son-in-law, Eric Crosby; mother-in-law, Otha Mae Shelby; grandchildren, Damien, DaShawn, Taylor, DaLakin, Chase, Steele and Xathan; siblings, Betty Barnett, Evelyn Hendon, Reverend Jessie Green, Frank Evans, Elder Billy W. Evans, Johnny Evans and Dr. Robert Evans; and a host of other family members and friends; and
WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away," and renewed in their faith that Mrs. Wilson fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7, by having, "fought a good fight, finishing her course and keeping the faith" until the hour of her departure was at hand; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such a remarkable genuine and selfless individual as Mrs. Wilson, whose life light was a brilliantly impassioned beacon of hope for all she encountered along this earthly sojourn:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Joycelyn Rena Evans Wilson, whose life was a fragrant rose adorning the Heavenly Father's botanical garden of this earth's mortal dressing room, permeating the atmosphere with her beauty and aroma, and to whose family we express sincere and deepest sympathy upon her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Joycelyn Rena Evans Wilson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
