MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Wallace, Banks, Bozeman, Clarke, Coleman (65th), Evans, Green (72nd), Robinson (63rd), Straughter

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF MRS. ISSIE "PAT" TILLMAN AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE UPON HER PASSING. 

WHEREAS, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman, a proud and outstanding Mississippian, was born on January 16, 1937, in Liberty, Mississippi, where she enjoyed life as the youngest of thirteen children; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman left her home to attend Alcorn State University, where her interests turned to making life better for children and she focused her studies on elementary education; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman, being dedicated to educating children with special needs, later earned a Master's Degree in Exceptional Education from Tuskegee University; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman first put her talent to work improving the educational future of children in Brookhaven Schools, and then later, she made a positive difference in the lives of Jackson, Mississippi, children, teaching Special Education students at Rowan and Brinkley Junior High Schools for nearly thirty years; and

WHEREAS, during her early years as an educator in Jackson, Mississippi, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman married Charles Tillman, a distinguished and honorable gentleman she met years earlier at Alcorn State University; and

WHEREAS, in the Rolling Hills neighborhood where the Tillman family lived, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman was the best of neighbors, always giving a kind word and not hesitating to help someone who needed her; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman's work in the neighborhood association created not only a beautiful area, but a community where neighbors looked out for and cared about each other; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman was also a faithful member of Farish Street Baptist Church for more than twenty years; and

WHEREAS, many never knew Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman had battled illness for years because she faithfully maintained a beautiful garden and took a fitness walk around the neighborhood, waving and smiling at those she saw and even encouraging a few to join her; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman was predeceased by her parents, three brothers and one sister, she will be missed by all who knew her, she will be especially missed by her husband, Charles, daughter Vanessa and stepson Randy Tillman of Los Angeles; her five sisters, Christine Addison, Ethel Addison, Eula Lee Jackson, Maude Posey, and Mary Vessel; her three brothers Herbert Patterson, Otis Robinson and Jessie Wilson; and a host of other family members and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the lives of those Mississippians who committed their lives to the education of the state's youth and the betterment of the future of this state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life of Mrs. Issie "Pat" Tillman and express the sympathy of the Legislature upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Charles Tillman and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.