MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Ford, Holland, Scott (17th)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING STEPHEN AND EVELYN DRURY FOR THEIR COMBINED 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE TUPELO CHILDREN'S MANSION MINISTRIES AND CONGRATULATE THEM UPON THEIR RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Stephen Drury, President, and Evelyn Drury, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, of the Tupelo Children's Mansion will retire on May 31, 1999, having devoted a combined 50 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Drury, affectionately known as "Daddy" Drury, and Evelyn Drury have been the parents of over 650 children who have lived at the Mansion over the past 23 years; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership and direction of Stephen and Evelyn Drury, the Mansion campus has grown from 7 buildings and 22 acres to 26 buildings and over 140 acres; and

WHEREAS, Stephen and Evelyn Drury have seen the net worth of the Mansion grow from $576,000.00 in 1976 to $5.2 million in 1998 and contributions have risen from $144,000.00 to over $2.5 million per year for a total of $30 million in contributions since they have been at the Mansion; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, Stephen and Evelyn Drury established the Tupelo Christian Academy, a Christian school for Mansion children, and opened it to the community with their largest enrollment this year of 195 children; and

WHEREAS, the Drury's started the Abundant Life Tabernacle in 1983 and recently purchased 30 acres on the corner of East Main Street and Eason Boulevard for a new church complex; and

WHEREAS, in 1988, Stephen and Evelyn Drury opened New Beginnings of Tupelo, Inc., and Erwin Maternity Care Center, saving at least 160 babies from abortion; and

WHEREAS, the Drurys have played a vital role in the placement of over 110 Mansion children in "forever families" and over 90 newborns placed in the arms of families who wanted a baby through adoption; and

WHEREAS, the Drurys will be moving to Little Rock, Arkansas, to work with the Apostolic Church as well as pioneering a new ministry on the Internet called PraiseHim; and

WHEREAS, Stephen and Evelyn Drury have devoted over 20 years of their lives to loving, encouraging and caring for hundreds of children; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence especially when evidenced by a married couple who has spent a combined 50 years touching the lives of children and families in their community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Stephen and Evelyn Drury for their many years of service to the Tupelo Children's Mansion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do congratulate them upon their retirement and extend our heartiest wishes in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Stephen and Evelyn Drury and members of the Capitol Press Corps.