MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: The Entire Membership

House Resolution 24

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. CLIMENTINE "CLIMMIE" RICHARDSON WILLIAMS.

     WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on February 2, 2018, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Climentine Richardson Williams, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

     WHEREAS, the City of Indianola, the entirety of Sunflower County and the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, educator extraordinaire and community pillar with the passing of Mrs. Williams, who was the seventh of 12 children born to Pete and Matilda Curry Richardson on September 25, 1932; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams professed her faith in Jesus Christ at the early age of 10 and was baptized and united with the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend W.L. Kirkland, where she remained a faithful and devoted servant of the Lord for 75 years, and now she enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and

     WHEREAS, after obtaining her early education at Stephenville School, Climmie graduated with the first class of Gentry High School in 1953, and because of her athleticism, she earned a basketball scholarship to Mississippi Vocational College, now Mississippi Valley State University, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business education in 1957; and

     WHEREAS, Climmie began her illustrious teaching career at her alma mater, Gentry High School, where her career as an educator was nothing short of heroic, as the goodwill and inspiration she provided to her students undoubtedly had a profound effect on their future success; and

     WHEREAS, her 35-year teaching career traversed a variety of subjects, including typing, serving as the 4-H sponsor, coaching the girls basketball team, and providing secretarial services, but at each and every step along her way, she encouraged her students to study the fundamentals, inspired them to believe in themselves as she so strongly believed in them, and helped them reach their fullest potential and achieve their dreams; and

     WHEREAS, Climmie's graciousness, compassion and extensive intellect charmed not only her many adoring students but the heart and soul of a man named Elmira Williams, and the two lovebirds exchanged the vows of holy matrimony with the words "I do," completing their family unit with the addition of four exquisite daughters; and

     WHEREAS, because of the enthusiasm that Mrs. Williams had for learning and high academic achievement, the excellent strides she made at the chalkboard, and the successes she saw on the basketball court, she was inducted into the Mississippi Valley State University Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Gentry High School Hall of Fame in 2016; and

     WHEREAS, even though she was consumed with her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Williams was affiliated with a number of elite social and civic organizations including, the Sunflower County Educational Association, the Mississippi Association of Educators, the National Education Association, the Martin Luther King Birthday Committee, the Bill Richardson Civic Alliance, the Dorothy I. Height Quad Counties Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., of which she was a chartered member, and The Regalettes Social and Civic Club, of which she was a founding member and participant for 55 years; and

     WHEREAS, a passionate educator, whether at home, church or school, and a strong, loving and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Mrs. Climentine Williams was the epitome of class, beauty and grace, and through her kind, sincere heart and undeniable energy, she touched the lives of all those who crossed her tender and charming path, and her warm hugs and bright smile will be forever cherished in the hearts and memories of her family, friends, former colleagues, former students, church friends and others who knew her and experienced her greatness; and

     WHEREAS, the memory of Mrs. Williams, a woman held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of her beloved survivors:  her daughters, Katrina McDowell, Bridgett Collier and Candace Stringfellow; grandchildren, Roderick, Kennedy and Lucas; great-grandchildren, Troy and Abel; goddaughter, Donnis G. Thomas; sisters, Hester R. Powell, Macelle R. Turner and State Representative Sara Richardson Thomas; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

     WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and be renewed in their faith that Mrs. Williams fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7 by having fought a good fight, finishing her course and keeping the faith until the hour of her departure was at hand; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Climentine Williams, a positive role model and exceptional teacher who always put others before herself, loved her family and friends unconditionally, and worshipped the Lord God Almighty with all of her heart, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Climentine "Climmie" Richardson Williams, and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Climentine Richardson Williams and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.