MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2013 2nd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Chassaniol

Senate Concurrent Resolution 509

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE SERVICE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CAPTAIN VIOLA SANDERS (USN RETD.) FROM GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI.

     WHEREAS, while Captain Viola Brown Sanders rose to the highest rank a woman could attain in the U.S. Navy in the mid-1960s, she always considered Leflore County home.  Captain Sanders (USN Retd.), 92, passed away in Greenwood on Sunday, April 28, 2013.  Graveside military honors were provided by American Legion Post 29; and

     WHEREAS, Viola was born to John Stansbury and Viola Brown Sanders in Sidon and had been a longtime resident there prior to moving to Greenwood.  At age 22, a phone call led her to a career that would take her around the world and to the top of her field; and

     WHEREAS, a graduate of Greenwood High School, "Pinky," as she was affectionately known by family and friends, went on to Sunflower Junior College where she was named Miss Sunflower Jr. College and named to the Hall of Fame.  She continued at Delta State Teachers College where she was Head Cheerleader, and graduated with a degree in English; and

     WHEREAS, while later teaching 7th Grade English in Glen Allan, her life path changed dramatically when her brother, Stanny, a young Naval Officer, called from New Orleans to tell her of great opportunities developing for women in the Navy.  Shortly thereafter in 1942, Viola was sworn into the service by her brother and ultimately rose to the rank of Captain, at that time the highest office for a woman in the Navy; and

     WHEREAS, from New Orleans, Ensign Sanders proceeded to Officer Candidate School and was promoted to Regimental Commander of the WAVES.  This was followed by a three-year tour of duty serving on the staff of U.S. Naval Forces in Japan.  While there, she had the experience of climbing Mt. Fuji; and

     WHEREAS, Viola returned to Washington, D.C., as Administrative Officer to Admiral Richard E. Byrd as part of the International Geophysical Year.  In 1960, she represented her military branch in Copenhagen at the first NATO Conference for Women; and

     WHEREAS, in her distinguished career, Captain Sanders was the recipient of the United Nations Korean and National Defense Service medals and Legion of Merit Award.  She was also honored at Arlington with a chair in the theater at the National Women in Military Service Memorial and was named to Who's Who of American Women; and

     WHEREAS, in 1966, Viola retired and returned to her roots in Sidon, took over management of the family farm, Elder Grove, and began an active life in the Mississippi Delta.  She served on the Board of Delta State University, the Board of Cottonlandia, and the Board of Trustees of Sidon Methodist Church.  She was a member of American Legion Post 29 and enthusiastically worked on the Veteran's Monument Committee from concept to completion in 1999; and

     WHEREAS, other recognitions include being named Alumnus of the Year by both Mississippi Delta Junior College and Delta State University.  She was named Outstanding Citizen of Leflore County by the Lions Club, and named into the Greenwood Hall of Fame by the Chamber of Commerce.  The Greenwood City Council honored her with a street bearing her name.  A highlight in her life, also, was being selected Grand Marshal of the 2007 Greenwood Christmas Parade; and

     WHEREAS, her family takes great pride in the accomplishments of Captain Sanders.  She was preceded in death by her niece, Peggy Sparkman, former Postmistress at the State Capitol.  Survivors include two nieces, Penny Sanders Varner (Mack) of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Mary Sanders Hughes (Bobby) of St. Louis, Missouri; 7 great-nieces:  Betsy Varner McIntire (Troy) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Emily Varner Shelton (David) of Oxford, Mississippi, Mary Margaret Sparkman (Jay Fraiser) of Atlanta, Georgia, Sally Sparkman Rabinowitz (Jason) of Pensacola, Florida, Janie Sparkman of Pensacola, Florida, Margo Hughes Cook (Shane) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Julie Hughes of St. Louis, Missouri; 9 great-great-nieces and nephews; and many beloved cousins; and

     WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this revered veteran who brought honor to her community and to her state:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute to the service, accomplishments and enormous civic energy of Captain Viola Sanders (USN Retd.) of Greenwood, Mississippi, and extend our sympathy to her surviving family on her passing and thanks for her legacy.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Captain Sanders, forwarded to the American Legion Post 29 in Greenwood, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.