MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Rayborn

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MARGARET B. STOKES, CIRCUIT CLERK OF LAWRENCE COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM OFFICE.

WHEREAS, Margaret B. Stokes, the daughter of T.C. and Amanda Beeson, was born and reared in Lawrence County, and was educated in the Lawrence County public school system; and

WHEREAS, Margaret attended Southdown Trade School in Louisiana, studying business; and

WHEREAS, she is the widow of Charles C. Stokes, Sr., and the mother of three children, Chuck, Matt (who passed away in 1997), and Amanda, as well as the grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of two; and

WHEREAS, after spending the earlier years of her life as a wife and mother, she went to work in the Circuit Clerk's office in October, 1976, after the death of her husband; and

WHEREAS, in 1983, Ralph Mason, the then Circuit Clerk, decided to run for Tax Assessor, so Margaret decided to run for Circuit Clerk; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mason had a stroke that same year and never entered the office again; Margaret completed his term with all salary and fees going to Mr. Mason; and

WHEREAS, elected in 1983, Mrs. Stokes took office in 1984. She has run in four elections and has won each time with never needing to proceed to the second primary. She has served under four Governors as County Registrar; and

WHEREAS, Margaret has thoroughly enjoyed her 23 years in the Office of the Circuit Clerk working with and for the fine people of Lawrence County; and

WHEREAS, after her projected retirement in December of 1999, Mrs. Stokes plans to continue enjoying her large family, singing with her sisters, attending Gospel and Country Music shows and traveling; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Stokes has served her constituents both faithfully and well in her tenure in office:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, That we do hereby commend Margaret B. Stokes for her outstanding service to the public as the Circuit Clerk of Lawrence County since 1984, and as a Deputy Circuit Clerk prior to that time, and congratulate her upon her retirement from that elective office, wishing her and her family all the best and the joys of this new phase of her life.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Stokes.