House Resolution 45

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. EDWARD PEEBLES "ED" PEACOCK, III, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY UPON HIS PASSING TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

WHEREAS, Edward Peebles "Ed" Peacock, III, the great patriarch of the Peacock family and community leader of Coahoma County, Mississippi, departed this earthly life on January 31, 2025, to be in the presence of the Lord, at the age of 77, bringing sorrow to his family, church family and many friends, throughout the Mississippi Delta and beyond; and

WHEREAS, born on November 9, 1947, to his parents, Edward Peebles Peacock, Jr., and Ann Williams Peacock, Mr. Peacock was reared in love along with his sister, Robbie, and knowing the importance of earning an education he graduated, with honors, from Clarksdale Coahoma High, where he was a member of the prestigious hall of fame; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Peacock, after high school, continued his education at Ole Miss, where he graduated with a bachelors of business administration in banking and finance in 1969, and while a student, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and served as the fraternity's secretary, which was an early indicator of his natural leadership and talents; and

WHEREAS, after earning a bachelors of business administration, Mr. Peacock continued his education at Ole Miss where he earned a juris doctorate in 1972 and where he served as president of the senior class, treasurer of the law school student body, served as president of Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity and was named co-winner of Delta Theta Phi outstanding law student in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Peacock, after earning his juris doctorate, then served two years as a 1st Lieutenant and Finance Officer in the United States Army, which included a 13 month tour of duty in Korea from 1972 through 1974 and after valiantly serving this country, he was honorably discharged as a captain, and he returned to his hometown of Clarksdale in September of 1974 and joined the Bank of Clarksdale, which ultimately merged to what is known as today's Regions Bank, in September of 1974, and then served as president of the Clarksdale's bank office for nine years; and

WHEREAS, in the banking field, Mr. Peacock, who was renowned in the banking world, served as a board member on the Financial Institutional Services, Inc. (FISI) Council from 1981 through 1987, which represented over 3000 banks and savings and loans nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Peacock, after retiring from banking pursued politics to help his county, and was elected and served five terms from January 1996 through January 2016 as Chancery Court Clerk for Coahoma County, where he was known for his meticulous nature, when it came to the operations of the court; and

WHEREAS, notably, while serving as chancery clerk, Mr. Peacock who was a mentor to many went beyond the call of duty and made contributions to the Mississippi Chancery Clerks' Association, where he served as its secretary, treasurer, vice president and from 2007-2008 he served as the organization's president; and

WHEREAS, upon his retirement from politics, Mr. Peacock continued to make contributions to his beloved hometown by serving as a part-time attorney for the Clarkdale Tourism Commission from 2016 until his passing; and

WHEREAS, due to his diligence and attention in whatever he did, Mr. Peacock received many awards such as being named the 2012 Coahoma County Citizen of the Year, receiving the BPW Employer of the Year in 1991 and being honored, in 2007, as the Clarksdale Junior Auxiliary Patron of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Peacock, who was a selfless community servant, served in a variety of capacities throughout his blessed life, some of which include: past president of the Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce, Coahoma County Association and the Clarksdale Rotary Club, where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow, co-founder of Leadership Clarksdale, member of NW Mississippi Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees for 17 years, Commissioner of Region 1 Mental Health Board and member of the Commission on Guardianships and Conservatorship, where he was appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, other areas where Mr. Peacock gave back to the community was by serving as a past chairman of United Methodist Senior Services Mississippi, Coahoma County Cancer Society, Coahoma County March of Dimes, Census 2000 Committee and Adopt-A-School, in which he helped to fundraise over $125,000, and further, as a military veteran, he was the past commander at American Legion Post 28 and a member of the VFW; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Peacock who received great joy by pouring into others, volunteered for 15 years at the Car Station, and at the time of his passing, he was serving as President of Coahoma County Industrial Foundation, Commissioner for Region 6 Mental Heath, member of the Carnegie Public Library Board and he would have been a 50 year Rotarian this September and he worked tirelessly to promote Flowers Manor as he was serving as Chairman of the Board for Flowers Manor, which he considered to be one of the jewels of Clarksdale; and

WHEREAS, as a follower of Christ, Mr. Peacock joined First United Methodist Church of Clarksdale in 1978, which is now known as Clarksdale Methodist Church, where he loved his Sunday School class, the choir and the fellowship with other members, and he served as the past chairman, administrative board, lay leader and multiple terms as chairman of the church's finance committee; and

WHEREAS, in addition to being an active church member, Mr. Peacock was active with his beloved alma mater, Ole Miss, and as such, he was an over 50 year season ticket holder and attended most home games, and he was also a member of the Parents Association and the Ole Miss District Alumni Association, where he served three terms on the association's board of directors; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Peacock, who was known throughout his community, never failed to let others know that he cared and thought about them and as a result, he was known for his well-wishes for others as he let others know on their birthdays and other occasions that they were thought of and loved, which was a testament of his God-given kind and beautiful spirit; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Peacock, who lived life to its fullest, adored his family that included his wife, Ann, and their children, Ann, Virginia and late son, Edward, Jr., as well as his grandchildren who were the "apple of his eye"; and

WHEREAS, the memories of Mr. Peacock will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of his survivors, some of whom include, his lovely wife of 45 years, Ann; children Ann (Bryant) and Virginia; sister, Robbie; niece, Elizabeth and grandchildren, Kate, Elliott, Sykes, Sam and Annie, all of whom will forever treasure his warm smile and the pearls of wisdom he so freely shared throughout his 77 years of blessed life; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi, to honor the life of a community-oriented Mississippian such as Mr. Ed Peacock, who made it a point to spread joy into the lives of others who were blessed to know and love him, while simultaneously making Clarksdale and Coahoma County shining jewels of the Mississippi Delta:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and contributions of Mr. Edward Peebles
"Ed" Peacock, III, and express deepest sympathy upon his passing to his family and many friends.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Edward Peebles "Ed" Peacock III and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.