MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hill, Branning, Butler (38th), DeBar, England, Frazier, Horhn, Michel, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sparks, Thomas
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF FORMER STATE SENATOR JOSEPH (JO) THOMAS STOGNER OF SANDY HOOK, MARION COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO HIS CAREER OF PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE.
WHEREAS, we join the residents of the Mississippi Senate District 40 and state leaders in mourning the death of former Mississippi State Senator Joseph (Jo) Thomas Stogner, who served in Senate District 40 from 1988-2004. Senator Stogner was born on April 13, 1939, in Tylertown to the late Lucille and Rossie Stogner and passed away on June 30, 2021, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Senator Stogner was a longtime member of Crystal Springs Baptist Church and a member of many organizations involving agriculture and government. Joseph was a State Senator for 16 years, where he served the community and state with honor and distinction. He worked for Dairymen, Inc., as a Field Staff Administer and owned and operated his own dairy and tree farm. He encouraged young people to further their education through college and would help them reach their greatest potential. Senator Stogner enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching sports on TV, and watching his grandchildren play sports. He stayed well-versed in current events and issues. A gardener who enjoyed working with his plants, he would share his harvest and eggs with his close friends and family; and
WHEREAS, in his lifetime of service and dedication to his community, Jo Stogner always remained a loyal friend who maintained strong convictions and was dedicated to treating people fairly and in a straightforward manner. With an unflinching duty to public service and a commitment to making this world a better place, Jo Stogner will be missed by his family, friends and associates; and
WHEREAS, Senator Stogner is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Jane Stogner; children, Michael Joseph (Wendy) Stogner and Debera Lucille (Scott) Reeves; grandchildren: Mitchell Thomas Reeves, Jakob Scott Reeves, Gage Langdon, Camryn Langdon and Davon Whitworth; brother, Houston Kent (Cindy) Stogner; and sister-in-law, Sharon (John) Hartzog. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Fannie Johnson Stogner; mother-in-law, Earline Thomas; father-in-law, Archie Thomas; brothers-in-law: Richard Lloyd Thomas, Raymond Thomas, Walter Thomas and Leo Brumfield; and sisters-in-law, Lazette Brumfield and Linda Thomas; and
WHEREAS, Senator Stogner felt honored to be a member of the State Legislature, where he truly enjoyed and took seriously the duties and responsibilities of serving the people. He loved and respected the body of the State Senate, its traditions, its procedures, and the camaraderie of the men and women with whom he worked and formed lasting friendships in the Capitol. Senator Stogner was a genuine, humble man of strong principles and integrity who cared about doing the right thing and was very good at making government work to serve the needs of his community and the people of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen and friend of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Legislature to the bereaved family of former State Senator Joseph (Jo) Thomas Stogner of Sandy Hook, Marion County, Mississippi, and pay tribute to his career of public and charitable service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator Joseph (Jo) Thomas Stogner, forwarded to the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.