MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Burton, Dearing

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JAMES L. "CREEPER" NELSON UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NEWTON MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT. 

WHEREAS, Mr. James L. "Creeper" Nelson has announced his retirement as Superintendent of the Newton Municipal Separate School District, a position he has held since 1986; and

WHEREAS, his dedication to and background in the Newton, Mississippi, school system is a matter of record: James graduated from Newton High School in 1952; he played all sports including baseball, basketball and football; he attended East Central Junior College and played baseball and was the quarterback for the football team; he graduated from East Central and went to Delta State where he also played football and baseball; he graduated from Delta State with a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Physical Education in 1956 and returned to Newton High School to teach math and coach basketball, football and baseball (during this period he coached his future wife, Mary Beth, in basketball); he served as Principal of Newton High School from 1971-1975 and continued to coach; in 1963, for the first time under his coaching, the Newton Tigers won the Choctaw Conference Championship in football; he was elected Coach of the Year in baseball on two different occasions and in football one time; during this time he returned to college and received his Masters Degree in School Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi; he accepted a position with a savings and loan company for nine years and returned to Newton High School serving as Principal until 1986 when the Board of Trustees selected him to serve as Superintendent; and

WHEREAS, "Creeper" has served on the Legislative Council of Mississippi High School Activities Association and the East Central Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, was elected to the East Central Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997, has served as President of The Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and Newton Country Club, is a member of the First Baptist Church of Newton where he serves as Sunday School teacher, and he and his wife Mary Beth have three children and 5 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi's public school system has been indeed fortunate to have had such a capable individual as James Nelson dedicate his career, and it is with great pride that we recognize this professional educator and administrator who has brought honor to his school, his community and his state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate James L. "Creeper" Nelson upon his retirement as long-time Superintendent and administrator of the Newton Municipal Separate School District, and wish him success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution be presented to Superintendent Nelson and his family, and be furnished to the Board of Trustees of the Newton School District and to the Capitol Press Corps.