House Resolution 69

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND WORKS OF MR. JOHN KNOX MAYFIELD AND EXPRESSING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mr. John Knox Mayfield, a long time friend of many respected community leaders, passed away on March 13, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mayfield was born on February 10, 1920, in Taylorsville, Mississippi, as the youngest of Mr. Lemuel and Mrs. Charity Mayfield's ten children; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mayfield's family moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he was raised and attended New Mexico State University until he departed to enlist in the United States Army Air Corps following the bombing of Pearl Harbor; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mayfield experienced much during his service in the military, including completing flight training and being commissioned as a second lieutenant on October 9, 1942, instructing cadets in basic training before being trained to fly B-24 bombers, piloting a B-24 bomber in the European Theater of War in World War II, and spending eight and one-half months as a German prisoner of war until he was liberated by the Russians, and was honorably discharged from the service in 1945; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mayfield and his family eventually returned to Taylorsville, Mississippi, where he was a success at raising beef cattle, operating a dairy, and tree farming, which resulted in his being named Mississippi Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year in 1991; and

WHEREAS, during his life, Mr. Mayfield was very active in his church and community, serving as deacon at First Baptist Church in Taylorsville for many years, and as a member of the Federal Land Bank Board of Mississippi and the Smith County School Board; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mayfield will be dearly missed by his wife, Mary Mayfield, three children, Deon Jones, Dr. John Mayfield, and Meg Moore, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute to men of great character, such as Mr. John Knox Mayfield:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we commend the life and works of Mr. John Knox Mayfield and express our deepest sympathy upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. John Knox Mayfield and members of the Capitol Press Corps.