Bill Text: MS SC511 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Mourn the loss and commend the life and public service of former Legislator and Chancellor Talmadge Littlejohn.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2016-02-16 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC511 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-SC511-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Browning, Burton, Wilemon, Parks, Jolly, McMahan, Bryan, Turner, Barnett, Blackwell, Branning, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Norwood, Parker, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Stone, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jackson (15th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 511
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE CHANCELLOR TALMADGE D. LITTLEJOHN OF NEW ALBANY, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, the Legislature, The Mississippi Bar and the State of Mississippi lost a distinguished jurist, colleague and gentleman with the death of former State Senator and former Representative Chancellor Talmadge D. Littlejohn of New Albany, Mississippi, who passed away at the age of 80 on October 26, 2015; and
WHEREAS, born on October 18, 1935, to the late Ivy Lee and Annie Laurie Speck Littlejohn, Talmadge grew up on a farm in the New Harmony Community in Union County and graduated Valedictorian of New Harmony High School. Chancellor Littlejohn earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Special Distinction and served as Student Body President and Student Body Attorney at Mississippi College before attending the University of Mississippi Law School; and
WHEREAS, he served the student body of the Ole Miss Law School as Attorney General and President before graduating. Soon thereafter, Littlejohn began a political and judicial career that spanned six decades; and
WHEREAS, Chancellor Littlejohn was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives at the age of 23 and the Mississippi State Senate at the age of 27. He then served the Third Circuit Court District of Mississippi as District Attorney for two terms. Littlejohn lost a Democratic runoff for Congress in 1996; and
WHEREAS, while in the Legislature, Senator Littlejohn was active in mental health issues and was known for the "Littlejohn Amendment" under which regional Mental Health Centers were established under the general supervision of the new Mississippi Department of Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, Chancellor Littlejohn was Municipal Judge for the City of New Albany from 1976 to 1992. He practiced law in New Albany from 1961 to 2002 before beginning his tenure as Chancellor for the First Chancery Court District. He was elected to his fourth term in 2014 and served until the date of his death; and
WHEREAS, Chancellor Littlejohn is survived by his wife of 54 years, Julia Gray Littlejohn; daughters, Lisa Gault (Phil) and Christy Adair (Avery); son, Bradley Littlejohn (Morgan); six grandchildren: Phillip Gault, Justin Gault, Katie Allison Gault, Julianne Littlejohn, Gray Littlejohn and Ivy Littlejohn; sister, Ivy Jean Weeden (John); one aunt, Elaine Pannell; and many nieces and nephews. Littlejohn served faithfully as a member, Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at First Baptist Church, New Albany; and
WHEREAS, Chancellor Littlejohn lectured on professional standards of the practice, including ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. His life honored both The Mississippi Bar and this great state that he loved and served:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and public service of former Senator and Representative Chancellor Talmadge D. Littlejohn of New Albany, Mississippi, and extend the condolences of the Mississippi Legislature to his family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Chancellor Littlejohn, The Mississippi Bar and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
