House Resolution 67

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. CLARISSA GRIFFIN HARRIS, 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 5, 2023, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Clarissa Griffin Harris, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, born on April 18, 1944, to Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Annie Worsham Griffin, Mrs. Harris grew up in the Deovelente Community of Belzoni, Mississippi, and there she attended Shiloh M.B. Church, the place where she first became a believer, by faith, received Christ as her personal savior and devoted her life to be more like Him; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris was a 1961 graduate of McNair High School, and upon graduating, she attended Tougaloo College, where she received a bachelor's degree in elementary education; and

WHEREAS, in 1965, Mrs. Harris married Mr. Norman W. Neal, Sr., and to this union four children were born, Keith Lenore, who proceeded her in death shortly after birth, Charisse, Chandra and Norma, and in 1984, true love struck once again and she united in holy matrimony to Mr. Robert Lee Harris, Sr., and this union created a blended family adding two step-sons, Robert Harris, Jr., and Kelvin Pool as her bonus children; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris utilized her degree in education, serving in various capacities within the educational field, and she began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher in Hollandale, Mississippi, and continued her career as a teacher in Memphis, Tennessee and Belzoni, Mississippi, retiring in 2015 after over 35 years of service, teaching, touching and changing lives; and

WHEREAS, upon retirement, Mrs. Harris decided to fulfill a life-long dream of opening a daycare, and with the help of her daughter, Chandra, she launched the opening of Leaps and Bounds Early Learning Academy, where she continued to "reach one, teach one" until her passing; and

WHEREAS, at an early age, Mrs. Harris' parents recognized her God-given talent for music, and she learned to play several instruments, including the violin, piano, and organ, and as a little girl whose feet could not touch the peddles of the piano, she served as the church pianist, and during her young adult years, she also served as a soloist, choir member, choir directress and church musician for many churches in the Humphreys County Community; and

WHEREAS, in 1978, Mrs. Harris, Shirlene Davis Reed, Wardell Walton, and the late Homer Body brought to fruition the desire to organize a community choir that would be comprised of singers of all denominations and faith to sing praises to the Lord, and The All Faith Gospel Community Choir was birthed, and later, she would become the musician for The Humphreys County Laymen Male Chorus, and served as the Shiloh M.B. Church musician until the world was changed by the restrictions of the pandemic; 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, the legacy of Mrs. Harris' indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her loved ones, including her daughters, Charisse Neal Baker, Norma Neal and Chandra Neal Wilder; sister, Doris Griffin Reed; sister-in-love, Annie Grace Griffin; step-sons, Robert Lee Harris and Kelvin Pool; bonus children, Latosha Neal, Brandon Neal, and Carlando Neal; grandchildren, Jelisa, De’Kuan, Jasmine, Kelsey, Chelsey, Jarmyn, Joslyn, Chamar and Keirstin; six great-grandchildren, Donylen, Kylan, Briylon, Avari, Ian and Skyler; two life-long friends of over 43 years, Shirlene Reed and Wardell Walton; two children she loved as her own grandchildren, Dexter Tardy and Andreia Scrivens; and a village of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, dear friends, students, parents and other community members; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris 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, a genuine and lovely lady of exceptional character, who had an infectious, loving spirit, and a kind and selfless heart, Mrs. Harris' outstanding legacy will continue for generations to come, and precious memories of time spent with her will hopefully continue to provide warmth, peace and comfort to her loved ones; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of exceptional individuals, especially those such as Mrs. Harris, a wonderful lady whose life's light illuminated the path of hope for all she encountered along this 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 honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Clarissa Griffin Harris, 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. Clarissa Griffin Harris, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.