House Resolution 43

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. CARMELITA JOYCE HANSHAW SCOTT, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER 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 February 17, 2022, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Carmelita Joyce Hanshaw Scott, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Scott, the youngest of eight, was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, to the late Charles Francis and Sharon K. Peyton Hanshaw on December 12, 1980; and

WHEREAS, after graduating high school, Mrs. Scott continued her educational path, earning a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication/media studies from Dillard University in 2004, and a master of science in public relations, advertising and applied communication from the University of Southern Mississippi, in 2009; and

WHEREAS, as a lover of learning and life, Mrs. Scott continued on to complete several financial certification programs in Financial Education Delivery, Credit Scoring and Community Leadership through Neighbor Works America, as well as her Women's Entrepreneurship Certification from Cornell University; and

WHEREAS, having a true servant's heart, Mrs. Scott was initiated into the Mississippi Gulf Coast Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in 2008, and served as the Economic Development Chair for the past five years and participated on several committees; and

WHEREAS, from an early age watching her mother navigate life as a small business owner, it was always in Mrs. Scott to be her own woman of power and purpose, and her passion for the City of Biloxi, civil awareness and minority business development led her to serve on the Excel by 5 Advisory Board, Pathways 2 Possibilities, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Scott's passion not only came with creating a seat at the table, but also pulling out a seat for others, as she pulled out the seat on multiple occasions by always sharing opportunities for small businesses to prosper, and this was exemplified by her serving as the Diversity Council Chair for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber and the FDIC Alliance for Economic Inclusion Board, and her eagerness extended beyond the table and bled into the streets, and, overnight the Black Lives Matter symbol (mural) was shown proudly in East Biloxi; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Scott also had a tremendous love for genealogy, which led her to research and not only find family, but also use the history of her ancestors to build a new and enhanced future for everyone around her, and for over 20 years, she was committed to public service and received several awards for her commitment; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Scott was also a proud recipient of One Coast Top 10 Under 40; Success Conference - One to Watch, Hope Enterprise Improving Lives Award; Job Corps Building Communities Award; and the Biloxi NAACP Charlie Clay Community Service Award, and her loyalty, commitment, smile and ability to interface with individuals at all levels made her a leader in the community and workplace; and

WHEREAS, to know Mrs. Scott is to know power, and as she is small in package, but colossal in grit, determination, and resolve, she had a natural gift of educating and uplifting the community; and

WHEREAS, being a "multipreneur," Mrs. Scott maintained CJ Shaw the Brand since 2006, which housed her creative ventures to include The Cardigan Banker, and she was also the inaugural program coordinator for the East Biloxi Community Collaborative and served as the assistant vice president, and her final professional act was being the community development relationship manager at Woodforest Bank for the Southeastern Region; and

WHEREAS, as a genuine and lovely woman of exceptional character, Mrs. Scott's legacy will continue for generations to come, and her outstanding devotion to her family will always be remembered, and precious memories of time spent with her will hopefully continue to provide warmth, peace and comfort to her loved ones; 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, such as her parents, Charles Francis and Sharon K. Peyton Hanshaw; sister, Anita Roechelle Hanshaw; and niece, Chari A. Hanshaw, the legacy of Mrs. Scott's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her loved ones, including her loving and devoted husband, Brandon R. Scott; sons, Nicholas, Canaan J., Josiah C., and Jasiel B. Scott; siblings, Charles A. Hanshaw, Angelique Vereen, Vashti R. Peyton, Adrianne P. Ragan, Robin J. Perry and Roheem A. Moore; nieces, Taryn L. Wyatt, Ashley N. Hanshaw, Chianne Peyton, Avery Moore and Giselle Ragan; nephews, Dezi Vereen, Brady Vereen, Jonathan Ragan Jr., Mickey Moore, Christian L. Peyton, Maxwell Moore and Landon Moore; and a host of other relatives and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Scott will forever be loved, cherished and missed by all who knew her, and since it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," her family and friends can find peace and comfort during this difficult time; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the lives of outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Scott, who certainly inspired everyone she met 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, That we do hereby honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Carmelita Joyce Hanshaw Scott, and express sincere and 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. Carmelita Joyce Hanshaw Scott and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.