MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Harden

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF MS. DELLA MAE HUNT AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Ms. Della Mae Hunt, the eldest of four siblings, was born August 19, 1937, in Jackson, Mississippi, to the late Mack Hunt, Sr., and Annie Bell Cotton Hunt, both of whom preceded her in death; and

WHEREAS, Della attended Sallie Reynolds Elementary School and Jim Hill High School where she excelled in Home Economics; and

WHEREAS, at the age of twelve, she confessed Christ as her Savior and united with The Saint James Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. Theodore Cornelius (T.C.) Simmons; and

WHEREAS, in 1949, she was baptized in a sacred baptismal ceremony in a pond contiguous to the church; and

WHEREAS, Della, as a young woman, was a member of the first organized group of Junior Matrons and Progressive Matrons under the leadership of the St. James Missionary Society; and

WHEREAS, in later years, she actively participated in the General Mission and was a member of the St. James Baptist Church Mass Choir; and

WHEREAS, one who loved her pastor and supported her church to the best of her ability, she found spiritual solace and comfort in hearing Reverend Knight preach the words of God, and delighted in traveling with the members to support her pastor; and

WHEREAS, Della served as a member of the staff of The Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church Day Care and Learning Center under the directorship of Mrs. Bessie Williams; and

WHEREAS, at the authorization of the pastor, as an extended service and convenience to members with babies, Della was appointed to be in charge of the "Nursery" during the period for Sunday School; and

WHEREAS, because of Della's ability to follow instruction, to be compassionate and helpful, and having developed unique culinary skills, she was frequently in demand to assist persons assigned by the pastor to be in charge of auxiliary functions scheduled in the church's Fellowship Hall; and

WHEREAS, Della, a life-long resident of Washington Addition (Jackson), took pride in her community and its significant civic activities in an effort to stay abreast as a responsible citizen; and

WHEREAS, Della passed away at 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, loved ones who survived her include three daughters, Carolyn (Napoleon) White, Jacqueline (Earnest) Sturgis and Gloria (Mickel) Smith, all of Jackson, Mississippi; one son, Marco (Carolyn) Hunt, Jackson, Mississippi; two sisters, Doris McDougle and Maxcine (Sylvester Davis) Hunt, both of Jackson, Mississippi; one adopted sister, Lizzie Ratliff, Jackson, Mississippi; one brother, Mack Hunt, Jr., Jackson Mississippi; seven grandchildren, Samuel Baily, Christopher White, Pamela White, Monterrius Hunt, Alice Hunt, Joshua Sturgis and Jeremiah Sturgis; two great grandchildren, Cortavious and Jamiayah Curry; one paternal aunt, Inell Jones; one maternal aunt, Lizzie Tobias; three nieces, Shirley McDougle, Lydia Washington and Marquita Willis; one nephew, Corey Willis; special friends, Herman Ray Briscoe, Adelle Harville, Erma McEntee, Earline Ford and Helen Cooper; and a host of additional relatives and friends:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Ms. Della Mae Hunt and express our deepest sympathy to this family and friends upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Ms. Della Mae Hunt and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.