House Resolution 23

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MRS. ALPHA REBECCA LOCKETT GEORGE AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER 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, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Alpha Rebecca Lockett George, to rest eternally, on Saturday, January 5, 2019, as she has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the Webb Community of Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend and veteran educator with the passing of Mrs. George, born in Gulfport, Mississippi, to the late Mrs. Ethel Berry Lockett and Mr. James Henry Lockett Sr., on March 21, 1933, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. George graduated from Thirty-third Avenue High School, the perfect preparation for her collegiate matriculation at Tougaloo College where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in English; and

WHEREAS, with education as foundation of her legacy, Mrs. George commenced her career in education in 1954 at Gulfport's Turkey Creek Consolidated High School, before relocating to the Mississippi Delta to teach one year at Hunter High School in Drew, and then devoting the remaining 31 of her 34 years in public education in service with the West Tallahatchie School District, which resulted in the crowning achievements which detail her infinite impact as an educator; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself in accordance with the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the Great Deity and grand architect of our lives' destiny, Alpha's heart was pierced by the love, chivalry and affection of

Charles M. George, who swept her off her feet, while attending Tougaloo College and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony, building a lifetime of memories with the addition of four sons, with whom they shared the abundant blessings of love, honor, humility, respect, civility, social awareness and tenacious perseverance; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles she assumed, a devoted wife and nurturing, protective and caring mother next, Mrs. George, who accepted Christ as her personal savior upon being baptized as a child at Morning Star Baptist Church, was the epitome of a woman of Proverbs 31:10 virtue who possessed an ambitious spirit akin to that of King David, as she was a woman who sought the very heart of God and demonstrated great faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and command of respect, both given by and required of her, as a member of Old Antioch Baptist Church, where she dedicated her God-given talents as Sunday School pianist, member of the Mother Board and youth Sunday School teacher; and

WHEREAS, equally devoted to the call of community, cultural and civic awareness, Mrs. George's social activism was inspired by her family, which enabled her to be engaged as a member of numerous organizations, including: the West Tallahatchie Lions Club; lifetime member of the Mississippi Association of Educators; and the West Tallahatchie Habitat for Humanity; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon her arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, including her husband Charles, her parents and two brothers, Aulton Lockett and James Lockett Jr., the legacy of Mrs. George's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: sons, Michael Lineal (Sheila), Mark Anthony (Becky), Marvin Fitzgerald (Hattie) and Melvin Fredrick (Yvonne); five grandchildren, Sherita, Michael II, Mark II, Marco and Cameron; six great-grandchildren, Makiyah, Montrell, Christian, Sevae', Savanna and Addalyn; two sisters, Deloris Powell and Deborah Buford; 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 and be renewed in their faith that Mrs. George fulfilled the purpose of her appointed time in adherence to 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 commend the life of a genuine and selfless individual such as Mrs. George, whose light illuminated the path of hope for all she encountered along this earthly sojourn:

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. Alpha Rebecca Lockett George, and express sincere and deepest sympathy upon her passing.

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