Bill Text: MS SR3 | 2018 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mourn the passing and commend the life of Bishop Hollis Musgrove Prelate Emeritus.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-01-08 - Immediate Release [SR3 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2018-SR3-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn
Senate Resolution 3
(As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF BISHOP HOLLIS MUSGROVE PRELATE EMERITUS.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of respected Christian and Civic Leader Bishop Hollis Musgrove of Jackson, Mississippi, on New Years Day, January 1, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Hollis Musgrove's life journey began January 24, 1928, in Soso, Mississippi (a small town outside of Laurel, Mississippi). He was the only son and the youngest of four born to Alson and Annie Mae Musgrove. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Alberta Flynn, Lela Shelby and Leola Blackwell; and son, Richard Bruce; and
WHEREAS, never a stranger to hard work, the young Musgrove was just eight years old when he started working for his grandfather on the family farm. He received his formal education from Oak Park High School in Laurel, Mississippi. Upon graduation, Bishop Musgrove joined the United States Army and served admirably for 38 months before being honorably discharged. He began working at Mingle Plywood Company and taking night classes in tailoring and education through the Jones County Veterans program. After his tenure at Mingle, Bishop Musgrove went on to work as an agent for the Lincoln Life Insurance Company. He later enrolled at Alcorn College (now Alcorn State University) in Lorman, Mississippi. With a desire for upward mobility and to further his education in theology while enhancing his ministry, Bishop Musgrove pursued studies at the Charles Harrison Mason System of Bible Colleges in Memphis, Tennessee, where he received a certificate of Pastoral Theology in 1978. In 2002, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity from Saint Thomas Christian College, Jacksonville, Florida; and
WHEREAS, in the early 1950s, Bishop Musgrove had heard about the services at the Laurel #1 Church of God in Christ, and decided to attend. During his visit, the Jurisdictional Holy Convocation was in session and God moved and blessed him in a mighty way. Bishop Musgrove came into the knowledge of Holiness at the close of the meeting in 1954 after hearing young Minister Marcus Butler preach the soul-stirring message "Loose the Man and Let Him Go." Later, under Pastor W.D. Hines, Bishop Musgrove accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Thus, from that day forward, he faithfully served and followed the Lord for the duration of his life; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Musgrove was ordained an Elder in the Church of God in Christ by Bishop Theo Davis. For over 66 years, he rendered service to God, humanity and the Church of God in Christ. He became known throughout the brethren for always ministering to the needs of people and holding true to his philosophy that: "Everybody Is Somebody"; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Musgrove served his beloved church in numerous assignments, including: First Administrative Assistant to Bishop Theo Davis, 1982-1991; Second Administrative Assistant to Bishop Davis, 1976-1982; State Secretary, 1964-1986; District Superintendent, 1979-1986; District President; YPWW Department, 1958-1970; Vice President, Southern Mississippi Church of God in Christ Corporation, 1968-1980; and Executive Board Chairman, Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ, 1986-1989; and
WHEREAS, in January of 1992, Bishop Hollis Musgrove was elevated and installed as the Jurisdictional Prelate of the Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, the third in succession, by Presiding Bishop Louis H. Ford. Bishop Musgrove governed his life by the motto "Being geared to the times, but being anchored to the Rock." His tenure as Bishop was distinguished by his progressive style of leadership, which caused tremendous growth within the Jurisdiction. Presently, the Jurisdiction has 136 functioning churches, over 200 ordained Elders and 175-plus licensed Missionaries. To date, 36 new edifices of worship have been erected from the ground up, 30 churches have been refurbished and the Jurisdiction expanded from nine to 14 districts. Even in Emeritus status, Bishop Musgrove continued to be a highly-respected Elder Statesman in the College of Bishops of the Church of God in Christ; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Bishop Musgrove, Mississippi Southern First Jurisdiction became an active force in local and state communities. Consequently, several economic and community development programs were established to help serve individuals and families in surrounding neighborhoods. Additional programs were developed, including, but not limited to, student scholarships, college preparation and professional development training, COGIC Meals on Wheels and single-family homes for the elderly and medical assistance; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Musgrove was actively involved in several community outreach projects and civic organizations throughout the State of Mississippi, including the National Cancer Society, Stewpot Kitchen, Bethlehem Center, Flowers House, Sims House, Ronald McDonald House, and several local long-term nursing facilities. He was President of the Liberal Trinity Development Foundation, Inc.; a lifetime member of the Oak Park Alumni Association; a member of the Ministerial Alliance of Jackson; the Board of Directors of Saints Academy in Lexington, Mississippi; and the Jackson State University Ministerial Group. In his honor, Bishop Musgrove was recognized by the City of Jackson in the renaming of Northside Drive from Watkins Drive to State Street as Bishop Hollis Musgrove Boulevard. He has also been designated as "Man of the Year" and "Bishop of the Year" by the Church of God in Christ, and "Man of the Year" by the City of Jackson, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, during his pastoral tenure, Bishop Musgrove founded the Vossburg Church of God in Christ, Vossburg, Mississippi; built the St. Mary Church of God in Christ (Laurel #3), Laurel, Mississippi; renovated the Lightsey Church of God in Christ, Lightsey, Mississippi; served St. Mary Church of God in Christ, Pascagoula, Mississippi; served Decatur Church of God in Christ, Decatur, Mississippi; served Laurel #1 Church of God in Christ, Laurel, Mississippi; served Gravel Line Church of God in Christ, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and served Belt Temple Church of God in Christ, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, Bishop Musgrove became Pastor of Liberal Trinity Church of God in Christ in Jackson, Mississippi. At Liberal Trinity, he accomplished the following: built a beautiful edifice (the Blue Palace) with a wooden floor and a fellowship hall; paid off the church mortgage eight years early; developed the Liberal Trinity Development Foundation, Inc., with cash and investment assets valued over $250,000.00; purchased land and buildings surrounding the church valued over $500,000.00; renovated several homes surrounding the church for the elderly citizens; acquired the church's first "for-profit" entrepreneurial enterprise, Northside Wash and Dry; expanded and established numerous church auxiliaries and units; purchased modern technology and sound equipment; acquired two church vans for the elderly and handicapped; resurfaced the parking lot; enhanced the financial management status of the church; established the Food Pantry Network to feed needy families; and created a Counseling Program which offers free counseling to help individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, currently, plans are in development for a Senior Citizens Complex, a modern facility that will provide love and care for elderly citizens in their golden years with a wholesome and spiritual environment; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Hollis Musgrove married his high school sweetheart, the former Bernice Wallace, in June 1949. Their marital union of over 69 years was blessed with three children: Deborah Dianne Yancy, Jackson, Mississippi; Hollis La-Voice Musgrove, Laurel, Mississippi; and Faye Paulette Musgrove, Mobile, Alabama. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Stephanie K. Wingo, Hollie V. McDavid, Antonio Musgrove, Mario Musgrove, Asten Musgrove and Endia N. O'Cain; four great-grandchildren; one surviving aunt, Charlene Musgrove; a special cousin, Lola Ducksworth; and his caregiver Matthew A. Donaldson. Along with his immediate family mentioned above, the life and legacy of Bishop Musgrove will be cherished by a host of extended family and friends, including Missionary Gail Grass Fulgham, Elder Tony Bounds, Michael (Mitchell) Gordon, Pastor Jerry Crisler and the Weems children: Victoria, Larry and Cameron; the Liberal Trinity Church and Mississippi Southern First Jurisdiction families, as well as the brethren of the Church of God in Christ. An advocate for the less fortunate among us, Bishop Musgrove was an example to others of how to live your convictions with courage and he will be missed:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Mississippi Senate to the bereaved family of Bishop Hollis Musgrove Prelate Emeritus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Bishop Musgrove, forwarded to the Church of God in Christ and Bishop Theo Davis, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
