Senate Concurrent Resolution 628

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CIVIC AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MRS. KATIE ROSE MCCLENDON OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE BEST WISHES OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE OCCASION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

WHEREAS, Katie Rose McClendon was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 6, 1918, to Sam Edison Woods and Katie Rose Anderson Woods. She lost her mother a few days after birth due to the influenza epidemic of 1918. She was raised by her maternal aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Richard McClure. Her father, Sam Woods, served in World War II as our country's Commercial Attaché in Berlin, Germany, and as Consul General in Zurich and Bern, Switzerland. He was a good father and saw Katie Rose as often as he could. She had a great attitude and thought it was special to have two loving fathers. Sam Woods was the recipient of the Truman Presidential Medal of Freedom and served as Mississippi's first Director of Vocational Rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, Katie Rose grew up in Nashville and attended Vanderbilt University, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in History and going on to receive a Master's Degree from Ward Belmont in Library Science. In 1944, she went to work with American Airlines making sure our soldiers received first priority on flights. She also worked at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio, for the United States Intelligence Department, reading and condensing classified materials. Later, as part of the war effort, she worked at Voltee Consolidated Corporation in Nashville; and

WHEREAS, in 1946, Katie Rose married a fellow teacher, Hardin Thomas McClendon, from Donaldson, Tennessee. In 1952, they moved from Nashville to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and raised three children. Later came nine grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She is loved and adored by all of her family, friends and those around her. Her legacy will certainly live on; and

WHEREAS, Katie Rose has served on several boards and auxiliaries, including the Salvation Army, The Hattiesburg Family Y, The Methodist Hour, The Ladies Auxiliary of the Gideons International of Mississippi, Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary, Cub Scout Den Leader, Homeroom Mother, Better Homes and Garden Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is a loyal, active and devoted member of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School until she was 96 years old; and

WHEREAS, Katie Rose is very humble, doing meaningful acts of kindness in a quiet and gentle manner without seeking praise or recognition. She gives of herself to countless health, welfare, educational and character-building organizations. She is generous with her time and her resources for numerous charitable associations. She has established scholarship endowments at three Mississippi Universities, building a rapport with the students who receive the awards. Katie Rose McClendon has truly made the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, Katie Rose was born when Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States of America and Theodore G. Bilbo was Governor of the State of Mississippi. Mrs. McClendon's life has spanned the administrations of 18 United States Presidents and 26 Mississippi Governors from Theodore G. Bilbo to Phil Bryant. This family icon has witnessed many historic events during her lifetime, including the invention of the automobile by Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers' first airplane flight, and man's walk on the moon:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the civic and charitable contributions of Mrs. Katie Rose McClendon of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature on the occasion of her 100th Birthday Celebration.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Katie Rose and her family, forwarded to The University of Southern Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.