House Resolution 19

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. HOMER DEE SKELTON AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

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 November 7, 2020, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Homer Dee Skelton, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, born on May 27, 1931, to Mrs. Golden and Mr. Sparlin Skelton of Alamo, Tennessee, Mr. Skelton accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the young age of 17, and he remained faithful in ministry all of his life; and

WHEREAS, from an early age, Mr. Skelton had great passion and tremendous work ethic that was a driving force throughout his life, and he believed in treating people the way he wanted to be treated, and it was this simple philosophy that propelled him to own and successfully operate multiple car dealerships in Memphis and Millington, Tennessee, and Olive Branch, Mississippi, and he told everyone he met, "if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Skelton believed in giving back and supporting his community, with one hundred percent of his salary from his car dealerships for the past number of years going to the Homer Skelton Charitable Foundation to support his church, community, and public and private schools in Memphis, Tennessee, and DeSoto County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the number of lives Mr. Skelton touched through his generosity is truly countless, and for more than twenty years, he provided coats, shoes and bicycles to children in need; equipped the Automotive Center at DeSoto County Schools Career Tech Center in Horn Lake, Mississippi; helped build the "Field of Dreams" baseball field at Snowden Grove in Southaven, Mississippi, for handicapped children; provided hundreds of computers and technology to schools, an undisclosed number of scholarships for students, and behavior and leadership programs that changed many students' lives; and many needy children were able to enjoy summer camps because of his quiet giving; and

WHEREAS, when making significant donations to schools each year, Mr. Skelton never sought publicity for his good works, and his one request year after year was to "spend this on the children who need it the most", and if pressed, he would explain his giving philosophy, quoting Matthew 6:1-4, "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Skelton loved to give back to the community, and taught his family to do the same, and he never wanted any recognition, only to make a difference, and his abundant generosity is a huge part of his outstanding legacy; and

WHEREAS, some of the notable organizations Mr. Skelton quietly supported each month include: Pregnancy Care Center in Southaven, Mississippi; Memphis Boys and Girls Club; Shepherds Haven in Arlington, Tennessee; Olive Branch Food Pantry; Special Kids and Families Daycare Center; Memphis Street Ministries; Hope House Day Center; Memphis Union Mission; Precious in Pink Prison Ministry; Agape Child and Family Ministry in Memphis, Tennessee; Care Wheels; and Wesley Meadows Green House Campaign, home for Alzheimer's unit, in Hernando, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, devoted to his faith, Mr. Skelton was a dedicated member of Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi, as long as his health allowed, and was a faithful member of Jerry Greene's Sunday School class, and he donated funds to build a Family Life Center for Longview Heights Baptist Church and a second one at Longview Point Baptist Church in Hernando, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Skelton endured to the end with hope, optimism, laughter and faith, and he saw the best in everyone and believed in others even when they did not believe in themselves, and even in the face of great career success and accolades, he was most proud of his family and friends, and they are forever changed by the love he freely expressed and gave; and

WHEREAS, a genuine and distinguished man, Mr. Skelton's extraordinary devotion to his family and to his community will always be remembered, and precious memories of time spent with him will hopefully continue to provide warmth, peace and comfort to his loved ones; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, such as his twin sister, Deedie, and younger brother, Franklin, the legacy of Mr. Skelton's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his loved ones, including his devoted wife of 34 years, Mrs. Catherine Moore Skelton, who he lovingly referred to as his "Kingfish"; children, Rhonda Lewis, Renee Hollingsworth and Michelle Skelton Chapman; grandchildren, Melissa Fowlkes, Michael Pope, Brooke Hayes, Tiffany Rowley, Chelsie Chapman Gilbert, Brennon Chapman and Jeremiah Chapman; great-grandchildren, Hillari Gharib, Zac Fowlkes, Gabriella Fowlkes, Bennett Fowlkes, Adalae Pope, Carter Gilbert, Kessler Gilbert and Kindsay Kate Gilbert; great-great-granddaughters, Savannah and Daphne; three fur babies, Grace, Lily and Casey; and a host of other relatives and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Skelton will forever be loved, cherished and missed by all who knew him, and since it is written in

2 Corinthians 5:8, that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," his family and friends can find peace and comfort during this difficult time; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Skelton was a Christian, successful businessman, philanthropist, accomplished pilot, veteran of the National Guard, devoted family man, beloved husband, father, and "DeeDaddy," and his life was full of recognition and distinction, yet he was humble, kind, caring and generous, and he lived a long life full of love, laughter and longevity until God decided his work here was done, and he fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the lives of outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Skelton, who certainly inspired everyone he met and whose life's light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along his 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 Mr. Homer Dee Skelton, and express sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Homer Dee Skelton and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.