House Concurrent Resolution 77

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. POLLY MATTHEWS GORDON.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Polly Matthews Gordon, to eternal rest, causing great sorrow and loss to her family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Union lost a revered educator and pillar of the community with the passing of Mrs. Gordon, who was born on November 15, 1934, in rural Neshoba County, Mississippi, to the late Hugh and Pauline Germany Matthews; and

WHEREAS, Polly Matthews Gordon married the love of her life, attorney and USAF veteran Marcus D. Gordon, on May 27, 1956; and

WHEREAS, despite earning her associate of arts degree at East Central Community College in Decatur and later her bachelor degree in business from Mississippi College so that she could help her parents run their supermarket in Union, Mrs. Gordon spent 53 years as an educator; and

WHEREAS, she began her illustrious teaching career at Thaxton in Pontotoc County and then Taylor in Lafayette County, and after she earned a master's degree in business education from the University of Mississippi, she returned to Union to be the business education teacher at Union Special Municipal Separate School District; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Mrs. Gordon became the guidance counselor for Union High School and eventually became the longest serving educator in the history of Union Public Schools, and because Mrs. Gordon had a never ending thirst for knowledge, she dedicated extremely long hours to her studies and completed the necessary course requirements to earn a specialist in education from Mississippi State University in 1978; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her role in education, Mrs. Gordon was very active in her community, as she served as the President of the Union Present Day Club and the Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, faithfully attended Bluff Springs Church of God in Union, where she served as the music director, and received the East Central Community College Alumna of the Year Award in 2015; and

WHEREAS, as a lifelong educator who was filled with an eagerness to mold the minds of the younger generation, Mrs. Gordon's cardinal guidance, devoted leadership and encouraging words were an illuminated beacon of promise to the students, faculty and staff of Union High School as she strenuously strived to ensure that the children reached their potential, fulfilled their dreams and achieved greatness; 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, brother, parents, nephews and others, Mrs. Gordon, a woman held in the highest regard by family and friends as an inspiring and precious gift from God who was filled with enormous amounts of wisdom, beauty, grace and love, will not soon be forgotten by those who loved her and whose lives were enhanced daily by the delightful tenderness of her soul, including: children, M. Craig Gordon (Brenda), M. Darin Gordon, Brian S. Gordon and Teresa Parker; longtime family member, Prentiss Parker; grandchildren, Lanna Parker, Lara Kelle Parker, Kelly Lamb (Brenda) and Kristen Shepherd (Kent); great-grandchildren, Kaden, Karson, Meghan, Morgan and Swayze; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the lives of fine educators in Mississippi, especially those such as Mrs. Polly Matthews Gordon, an exhilarating combination of keen intellect and unwavering love whose educational prowess inspired those around her and brought great honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Polly Matthews Gordon, 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. Polly Matthews Gordon and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.