House Resolution 10

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. BRENDA FORTUNE SISSON AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY 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 grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Brenda Fortune Sisson, to eternal rest on Friday, December 4, 2020, 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 Philadelphia Community of Neshoba County lost a wonderful community exemplar and astute business woman with the passing of Mrs. Sisson, born to the union of Mr. James Fortune and Mrs. Ester Fortune on January 10, 1944, in Four Corners Community of Winston County, 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 to the glory foretold in Romans 8:20-21, "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God"; and

WHEREAS, a homemaker and renowned cook, Mrs. Sisson, along with her late husband Richard, owned and cofounded one of Philadelphia's most successful business enterprises, Richard Sisson Trucking, Inc., which she continued to hold as a family-owned and operated establishment until her life's departure; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian who relied heavily on her faith which motivated her to remain an active servant of the Lord throughout her life as a member of First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, whose stewardship extended beyond the four walls of the church, as evidenced through her heightened civic and social engagements with the Order of Eastern Star, Chamber of Commerce, and Philadelphia/Neshoba County Arts Council; and

WHEREAS, one whose life's journey chronicled that of the Good Samaritan, Mrs. Sisson, who never encountered a stranger, consistently and selflessly extended herself as an imparter of compassion, grace and love, innate qualities which, inevitably, were the traits that won the heart of Richard Sisson and influenced his decision to extend her the gift of changing her last name, and the subsequent addition of three sons, whom she considered her greatest accomplishment and most prized possessions; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed life's river to now stand upon the celestial shores in wonderment of Heaven's grandeur in glorious reunion with the kindred spirits who transitioned before her, including her parents, husband and infant brother, John Forrest Fortune, the legacy of Mrs. Sisson's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: sons, Kim Sisson, Tim Sisson and Jim Sisson (Maria); three grandchildren, John Forrest, Adrienne and Sydney Sisson; and a host of other relatives and special friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family of Mrs. Sisson to find solace from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of a genuine and selfless individual as Mrs. Sisson, 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, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Brenda Fortune Sisson and express deepest sympathy upon her passing.

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