Bill Text: MS SC558 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend the life of former Philadelphia Alderwoman Mary Elizabeth Cook Gipson.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-03 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC558 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-SC558-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (32nd), Butler (38th), Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jones, Stone, Ward
Senate Concurrent Resolution 558
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER PHILADELPHIA ALDERWOMAN MARY ELIZABETH COOK GIPSON AND EXTENDING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Cook Gipson, an active member and former Alderwoman of the City of Philadelphia, Mississippi, passed away on January 6, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Mary Elizabeth Cook Gipson, a descendant of Neshoba County pioneer Cook and Rush families, was born in Neshoba County, Mississippi, on December 8, 1910, to William David and Agnes Rush Cook. She graduated from St. Aloysius Academy in Meridian, Mississippi, as Valedictorian of her class. She returned to Philadelphia and worked at the W.A. Houston Department Store and later at Monroe Williams Department Store. On Christmas Day, 1938, she married Willie Jim Gipson, owner and operator of City Dry Cleaners. He preceded her in death in 1949, and the young widow and mother of three daughters took over the operation of the cleaners, changing the name to Gipson Cleaners and working there until her 92nd year. Her favorite pastime was tending her flower beds and rose bushes, and until her last days she often expressed the desire to be working, either in her yard or at the cleaners; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gipson was an active member of the Philadelphia community and was elected to two terms on the Philadelphia Board of Aldermen; and
WHEREAS, she served on the Philadelphia/Neshoba County Parks Board for 16 years and was presented the Distinguished Service Award in 1980. She was a Charter member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, she served on the Board of the Mental Health Association, was Chairman of the Women's Division of the American Heart Fund, and served as a member of the State Employment and Training Council. She was named Philadelphia/Neshoba County Citizen of the Year 1991. As a longtime member of the Philadelphia Business and Professional Women's Club, Mrs. Gipson served with her friends in many volunteer capacities. She was General Chairman of the Easter Seal Drive, and also Service Chairman, by which she acquired wheelchairs and services for those in need of Easter Seals aid. In 1993 she was honored by the Mississippi State Easter Seals Society for outstanding service. She was named the Business and Professional Woman of the Year in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gipson was the oldest member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, where she was active at various times in the Alter Society, Religious Education, Social Concerns Committee, and Parish Council. In later years she was a regular communicant at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at Tucker; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gipson is survived by her daughters: Ann Stubbs, Laura Kilpatrick and Regina Hicks; sons-in-law, Steven H. Stubbs and Danny L. Hicks, all of Philadelphia; grandchildren, William H. Stubbs, Stephanie Stubbs Place, Leanne Stubbs, Kim Kilpatrick Rea, Amy Kilpatrick Taylor, Jay M. Kilpatrick, Emily Hicks Moran, Dr. Brian Hicks and James P. Hicks; and great-grandchildren, Matthew and Laura Stubbs, Austin, Mary Grace and Peyton Rea, Steven and Adam Place, Eli, Mary Kate, and Charlie Moran, Emma and Maggie Taylor, Ayden and Kathryn Kilpatrick, Gipson Hicks, Hattie, Lilly and Daniel Hicks. She is also survived by a sister, Jane Cook Sabrio of Metairie, Louisiana; brother, William Patrick Cook of Pike Road, Alabama; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Gipson was preceded in death by a brother John D. Cook, and sisters Annie Ruth Cook Allen, Frances Cook White, Estelle Cook Hire and Polly Cook Nyby; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this leading citizen of Neshoba County and of the State of Mississippi: 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 Philadelphia Alderwoman Mary Elizabeth Cook Gipson and extend our deepest sympathy to her surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Mrs. Gipson, forwarded to the Philadelphia Board of Aldermen and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
