House Concurrent Resolution 90

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REVEREND MELVIN BOLES, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND PARISHIONERS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal," and as such, Reverend Melvin Boles, the beloved pastor, devoted servant of God and spiritual leader, departed this earth on February 28, 2018, to rest eternally with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Boles rose from humble beginnings to become a major spiritual icon for many in his community as well as surrounding areas; and

WHEREAS, this visionary leader was also one of the first local pastors to provide his church services on television and radio allowing his holy and immaculate words to be heard by thousands of people who did not attend his church; and

WHEREAS, born and raised in the Energy Community of Northeast Clarke County, a young Melvin Boles often preached sermons of repentance to his classmates at Shady Grove Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, upon receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Reverend Boles' zeal for the Lord was further ignited motivating him to open a storefront church early on before building Southside Tabernacle Church; and

WHEREAS, passionate about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ beyond the borders of our state, Reverend Boles spent many summers driving from Meridian, Mississippi, to Pensacola, Florida, holding tent revivals and preaching the Gospel to transform the lives of the unsaved to saved; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Boles was also a very skilled fiddler, who learned to play as a young child and used this talent as a complement to his ministry over the years, often preaching and then playing the fiddle for parishioners; and

WHEREAS, he retired from full-time ministry from the Evangel Temple in 2002, but continued to play fiddle and delight in delivering the word of God; and

WHEREAS, to cherish his memory and honor his legacy, he leaves his wife of 70 years, Rosie; daughter, Cathy; son, Michael; grandchildren, Dusty, Jonathan, Daniel and Jared; great-grandchildren, Mary, Cal, Cade, Ralie, Avrie, Kynlie, Sophie, Bradley, Brookley, Haylee, Jordan and Emmy; and a host of nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to celebrate the life and great works of esteemed spiritual leaders, such as Reverend Boles, who have softened the hardened hearts of man and brought them to the Lord:

NOW, THEREFORE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the honorable life of Reverend Melvin Boles, mourn the loss of his life and express deepest sympathy to his family upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Reverend Boles and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.