House Resolution 11

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MRS. ALMA JEAN WOODS AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Alma Jean Woods departed this life on Sunday, December 29, 2002, causing great loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, born in Port Gibson, Mississippi, on January 3, 1926, to Elder Burnett Longus Jacobs, Sr. and Willie Dora Heath Jacobs, Mrs. Woods received her formal education at Southern Christian Institute in Edwards, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, having earned her bachelor of arts degree from Tougaloo College, Mrs. Woods furthered her studies at Purdue University, Ohio State University, Delta State University and Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Woods, a member of the Clarksdale First Christian Church, served as minister of music for more than thirty years, while also leading the Christian Fellowship Organization and Christian Youth Fellowship; and

WHEREAS, on December 15, 1951, Mrs. Woods married Theodore Henry Woods, Jr., and during their union of thirty-four years, eight children were born; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong educator, Mrs. Woods taught in the classroom until her retirement in 1985 at Coahoma Agricultural High School after more than thirty years; and

WHEREAS, widely known in Clarksdale as a community leader, Mrs. Woods helped found the Riley-Sycamore Neighborhood Watch Association, in addition to being a local and state member of the Twenty-first Century Club, board member of Immaculate Conception School, volunteer at River Oaks Convalescent Home, and tapped as Mother of Year in 1989 by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and

WHEREAS, the legacy and memory of Mrs. Woods will forever live on in the lives of all who knew and loved her, particularly her survivors, including: children, Shirley Woods-Crockett, Thelma Woods-Brittain, Theodore Henry Woods III, Ouida Woods-Moorehead, Skylar Woods Nunley, Dimitri Woods Crain, Marc Jacob Woods, and Karen Woods-Done; fourteen grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to commend such outstanding Mississippians as Mrs. Woods, whose positive influence and encouragement will always be remembered:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and accomplishments of Mrs. Alma Jean Woods and express our deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Alma Jean Woods and members of the Capitol Press Corps.