House Concurrent Resolution 44

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. SARA BARRETT HARVEY ROBERTS.

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 September 17, 2020, at the age of 42, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Sara Barrett Harvey Roberts, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Ridgeland, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend and community treasure with the passing of Mrs. Roberts, who was born on March 31, 1978, and raised in Holmes County, Mississippi, 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. Roberts received her bachelor of business administration degree in marketing from the University of Mississippi, where she not only maintained a high grade point average and graduated magna cum laude, but she also made life-long friends as an active member of Chi Omega Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Mrs. Roberts earned her juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi and was admitted to The Mississippi Bar in 2005, and became a truly dedicated and selfless public servant, spending her entire legal career working as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Mississippi Attorney General's office, representing the Mississippi Department of Human Services; and

WHEREAS, among her responsibilities in her role with the Mississippi Attorney General's office, Mrs. Roberts represented the state's interests in legal proceedings pertaining to children placed in the foster care system, and she considered herself tremendously fortunate to be able to use her law degree and her talents to serve in this capacity, especially in cases involving Mississippi's most vulnerable residents; and

WHEREAS, the definition of a Proverbs 31 woman, Mrs. Roberts lived her Christian faith daily and was an active member of Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, where she attended and participated in the Christian Fellowship Sunday School class and absolutely loved the discussions and friendships she developed in this multi-generational class; and

WHEREAS, those that knew Mrs. Roberts best will remember her for her utmost kindness, her loving heart and her genuine and caring spirit, as she treated everyone she met with dignity and grace, as her faith was a beacon of light and hope in her own life and an inspiration to those around her; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Roberts was not only humble, hard-working and the consummate professional who loved helping children and was dedicated to serving the state and its residents, but she was also a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend who derived her greatest joy from spending time with her loved ones; and

WHEREAS, a truly exquisite woman, Mrs. Sara Barrett Harvey Roberts touched the lives of all those who crossed her sweet and charming path, and her gentle spirit, poise, strength, compassion, and graciousness will be forever cherished by her family, friends and others who knew her and experienced her greatness; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Mrs. Roberts, 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: husband, Patrick Roberts, her beautiful daughter, Margaret Montgomery; brother, James Caden; stepbrothers, Jacob Williamson (Ashley) and Chad Mullen (Owen); stepsister, Ashley Huggins (Mike); and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the lives of outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Sara Barrett Harvey Roberts, who certainly inspired everyone she knew and whose life's light illuminated the path of hope for all she encountered along her earthly sojourn:

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. Sara Barrett Harvey Roberts 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. Sara Barrett Harvey Roberts and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.