House Resolution 17

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. WILLIE JAMES "DADDY WILLIE" SMITH ON CELEBRATING THE MOST AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH ON JANUARY 30, 2019.

WHEREAS, Mr. Willie James "Daddy Willie" Smith, born on January 30, 1919, to the late Mr. Enoch and Mrs. Rosie Lee Averhart Smith in Fort Deposit, Alabama, and the grandson of escaped slave and Union Army soldier, Jacob Smith, celebrates the 100th anniversary of his birth on January 30, 2019, to be commemorated with a celebration acknowledging and honoring his fatherhood, mentorship and service on Saturday, January 26, 2019; and

WHEREAS, an individual of wise counsel among countless individuals to bear the title as a father, son, brother, uncle and friend, Mr. Smith, or "Daddy Willie," as he is affectionately referred to by his family, grew up in the Skip Street Community of Pascagoula after his father gathered his family and escaped the harrowing and brutal prejudice and civil injustice in South Alabama amid the mass exodus following the Great Depression of 1929, and raised them on the core tenets of respect and hard work, values that continue to be the benchmark of excellence for the Smith family, rooted in integrity and fortitude; and

WHEREAS, as the oldest of his parents' children, Daddy Willie assumed many of the paternal responsibilities for the Smith family when he was just a young man, and his Solomonesque wisdom and understanding, Mr. Smith answered the call of duty to patriot arms by enlisting in the great fraternity of the United States Army at the height of World War II, after the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service's attack on Pearl Harbor; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself for the blueprint divinely designed for his life, Daddy Willie's chivalry and affection pierced the heart of Dorothy Smith, and the two were united in the sacred bond of holy matrimony, and their marital union was made complete with the fruitful addition of five children: Deborah, Willie James Jr., Vernon, Vernita and Terry, with whom they embedded their core beliefs of honesty and service into their lineal fabric, until God saw fit to send his chariot angels to escort Mrs. Dorothy to her heavenly home; and

WHEREAS, as a resident and esteemed citizen and community pillar of Molden Avenue and throughout Moss Point, Daddy Willie has experienced the transformational changes of American society and experienced various moments of iconic history, as he continues to rely wholeheartedly on God as the driving force to sustain and motivate him through the circumstances, trials and triumphs of life, and to keep him healthy to bake his famous sweet potato pies; and

WHEREAS, with his profound faith and the unyielding support of his family, Daddy Willie has led an exemplary life, exuding the love of Christ through his service as a loyal member of First Christian Church in Moss Point, Mississippi, where he continues his faithful service as a deacon; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith, who provided for his family as a tenacious and driven worker at Ingalls Shipyard for numerous years until his retirement, continues to remain actively engaged with his family and friends, through his daily walks, cooking and the affairs of the church; and

WHEREAS, as the sole surviving offspring of his parents' direct progeny, Daddy Willie, in addition to enjoying the love, affection and attention from his five children, he is also showered with those same gifts from his six grandchildren: Jessica, Curtis, Karina, Vernon, Cornelius and Zykeria; five great-grandchildren: Symone, Zaria, Judea, Ja'Kyle and Bray'Den; and four great-great-grandchildren: Choncie, Cairo, Za'naya and Wynter; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such an outstanding individual as Mr. Smith, who attributes his longevity to good, clean, moral living and his faith in God, as he celebrates this most auspicious occasion with his family and friends:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Mr. Willie James "Daddy Willie" Smith, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his birth on January 30, 2019, and express sincere wishes for continued health, joy, peace and prosperity for years to come.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Willie James "Daddy Willie" Smith and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.