House Resolution 149

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, SERVICE AND LEGACY OF MR. JOE TROTTER DOCKINS AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS 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 immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Joe Trotter Dockins to eternal rest on Monday, April 22, 2024, as he made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost a revered community pillar, activist and benevolent philanthropist with the passing of Mr. Dockins, born in Starkville, Mississippi, on July 5, 1930, to the late Mr. Mathew and Mrs. Mary Frances Dockins, 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; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Oktibbeha County Training School, Mr. Dockins embarked upon his postsecondary matriculation at Alcorn College, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in economics in May 1953, which served as a precursory accomplishment to his desire to become intellectually satiated, and directed his postgraduate path to Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, in 1953, and subsequent thereafter at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1964, where he focused on the field of human development and interpersonal relationship; and WHEREAS, during his undergraduate year on the "Plantation" at Alcorn, Mr. Dockins crossed the burning sands of the divine panhellenic order to become a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., on December 16, 1950, and after graduation, became active with the Beta Alpha Chapter in Jackson, Mississippi, where he served as Basileus from 1977 to 1979, received a plaque in 1976 for being the "Man of the Year" for assisting in securing a fraternity house, and earned his 40th, 50th, 60th and 75th year membership pins before receiving a Certificate of Life Membership and being inducted into the Mississippi Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Hall of Fame in 2016; and

WHEREAS, having learned the value of a dollar at a very early age, which enabled him to develop a strong work ethic as early as five years of age while working in his parents' grocery store, those core values manifested themselves in Mr. Dockins devoting his life to serving and improving the State of Mississippi through his professional contributions, initially as an associate county agent for the Mississippi Agriculture Extension Services in Louisville, then in 1965, he became an assistant county supervisor for the Farmers Home Administration before being promoted to county supervisor in 1981, and after 33 years of dedicated service he retired in 1987, but in his passion to answer the call to be of service, he began his second career with the Mississippi Action for Progress as Director of Personnel in 1989, devoting another 17 years of laudable public service until he made the decision to punch this retirement card again in 2006 as the Safety Coordinator of Mississippi Action for Progress; and

WHEREAS, an individual of profound faith, which was instilled by his parents at the early stages of his life, Mr. Dockins accepted Christ at Griffin United Methodist Church in Starkville, and later joined Central United Methodist Church in 1966, where, in seeking after God's own heart, he served as President of Central United Methodist Men from 1977 until 1993, Finance Committee Chairperson from 1985 until 1987, past Vice President of the Usher Board, as a member of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, and as a former Lay Leader; and

WHEREAS, Joe's love, chivalry and affection pierced the heart of the late Mrs. Odelle D. Dockins, and the two lovebirds exchanged the vows of holy matrimony, and together constructed a foundation of marital bliss that was blessed with the addition of two children, Metric and JoAndrea, and spanned the course of 54 years until the Great Deity, in divine providence, deemed it appropriate to summons Mrs. Dockins mortal presence into the heaven's center court; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life, Mr. Dockins remained active in the civic, social and public service sector, including: District Marshal for the 7th District Meeting held in Jackson in 1984; Alcorn Alumni Association, and president of the Jackson Chapter from 1986-1989; Coordinator of the Monday Evening Club; member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1989 until 1993; member of the Mississippi Farmers Home Administration Minority Employee Association; past member of Phi Delta Kappa; member of the Board of Directors of Central Mississippi Health Services, Inc.; member of the Board of Directors of the Wesley Foundation-Alcorn State University; Mission Mississippi; and member of Boy Scouts of America, Andrew Jackson Council; and

WHEREAS, though he 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 of loved ones who transitioned before him, including his parents, wife and siblings Halbert, Naomi, Jimmie and Mathew, the memories of Mr. Dockins indelible legacy will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of his survivors: children, Metric Dockins and Dr. JoAndrea Dockins; sister-in-law, Elouise (Joe) Shanks; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the Dockins family to find solace from these words recorded in II 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 monumental life of genuine individuals of Mr. Joe Trotter Dockins' caliber, whose life personified the heart of Christ, which struck a melodious chord with 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, commemorate the life, service and legacy of Mr. Joe Trotter Dockins, and express deepest sympathy upon his passing to his family and friends.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Joe Trotter Dockins and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.