MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Frazier, Harden, Horhn

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING REVEREND DR. S.L. SPANN, SR., OF GREATER FAIRVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AND FOR MORE THAN 39 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE JACKSON COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS, Reverend (Dr.) S.L. Spann, Sr., has been pastoring the Greater Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, 2545 Newport Street, Jackson, Mississippi, for 38 years, and will be honored by the entire neighboring Christian community with appropriate ceremonies recognizing his retirement and transition to Pastor Emeritus on Sunday, February 6, 2000; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Spann has been in the ministry for over 54 years, and with God's guidance, he has been instrumental in causing Greater Fairview's membership to grow to over 1,300 disciples; and

WHEREAS, Dr. S.L. Spann, Sr., is a native of Brandon, Mississippi, is the husband of Fannie Bernice Barnett Spann, and is the father of 7 children (5 boys and 2 girls); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Spann obtained his High School Equivalency Certificate, and later attended the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee; he earned his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Theology and a Doctorate of Ministry from the Mississippi Baptist Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and he has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Religious Education from Natchez Junior College; and

WHEREAS, he has served as a Lecturer in the Moderator's Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and he now serves as a Board Member in the General Baptist State Convention, as well as a member of the Jackson Baptist Minister's Union and Metropolitan Minister's Fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Spann celebrated his 88th birthday on March 28, 1999, and is still going strong--"Walking On By Faith"; and

WHEREAS, the Bible says "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine," and it is with great pride that we recognize this dedicated citizen who has brought so much to his congregation, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Reverend Dr. S.L. Spann of Greater Fairview Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi, upon the occasion of his retirement as pastor and for more than 39 years of dedicated service to the Jackson community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Spann at his retirement ceremonies and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.