MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Farris

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF FORMER FIRST LADY OF MISSISSIPPI DOROTHY P. JOHNSON, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, former First Lady of Mississippi Dorothy P. Johnson of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, died August 26, 2000; and

WHEREAS, "Dot," as she was known, was the widow of former Governor Paul B. Johnson, Jr., who served from 1964-1968; and

WHEREAS, she was born in Red Banks, Mississippi, to Octie Kizer and Shelby Reeves Power; she was a graduate from the University of Mississippi where she was chosen "Ole Miss Beauty" and met her husband, Paul B. Johnson, Jr.; she was active in DAR and served as the state president; Dot loved to cook and wrote and published a cookbook with many of her special dishes; she was a charter member of Parkway Heights Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her husband, former Governor Paul B. Johnson, Jr., a daughter, Rebecca Reynolds Johnson, a son, Shelby V. Johnson, Sr., and a grandson, Will Johnson; she is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia Tish and Sam Ross of Hattiesburg; son and daughter-in-law, Paul B. III "Chipper" and Betty Johnson of Hattiesburg; daughter-in-law, Shirley Sarris of Jackson; her brother, James M. Power of Memphis, TN; grandchildren Kimmen Johnson and Shelby Johnson, Jr., of Jackson, MS, and Jennifer Stewart, Burney Johnson, Andrew Johnson and Patrick Johnson of Hattiesburg; the delight of her life in her later years was her three great-grandchildren, Shelby and Zachary Stewart of Hattiesburg and Anne Marie Johnson of Jackson; and

WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that we recognize the passing of this wonderful southern lady who was such an asset to our 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 the life of former First Lady of Mississippi Dorothy P. Johnson, and express the sympathy of the Legislature on her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the surviving children of Mrs. Johnson and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.