House Resolution 23

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JOHN HARRISON MOODY AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mr. John Harrison Moody, who was born January 9, 1913, in Ellisville, Mississippi, to the late Charlie and Charity Moody, departed this life on Tuesday, January 13, 2004, to enter into eternal rest, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, having lived a life full of magnificent accomplishments, Mr. Moody received his formal education at Mt. Pleasant Training School, Rosenwald (Shady Oak) in Soso, Mississippi, and graduated from Oak Park High School in Laurel, Mississippi, before attending Jones Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Moody, a staunch advocate for the civil rights movement, registered to vote in Jones County in 1936 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was president, and voted for the first time in Mississippi in 1951; and

WHEREAS, in April of 1940 he united in holy matrimony with Ernestine Currie and to their union they were blessed with three children, John Eldree, Joyce and Belinda Ruth; and

WHEREAS, deemed a pioneer in his day, Mr. Moody was able, during the time of the Great Depression, to loan money to the Jones County Training School to purchase its first basketball, and was the first African American in Jones County to own a brand new school bus; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong member of the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, where he confessed his hope in Christ at the age of eight, Mr. Moody served as deacon, fifteen-year member of the male choir, Baptist Training Union group captain, church treasurer, finance secretary and assistant superintendent of Sunday School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Moody was highly visible and active in the community, he engaged in many social, civic and political involvements, including: 4-H Club; manager of a baseball team; Jones County Board of Produce; Mt. Lebon Masonic Lodge No. 269, where he served as Worshipful Master and Junior Warden of the 12th District Grand Lodge, in addition to having served as treasurer, secretary and Senior Warden; honorable Joshua of Soso Court No. 231 Heroines of Jericho; Shady Oak School Board trustee; assistant secretary and finance secretary for the banking committee of the First Sweet Pilgrim Association; having sought the election to the Board of Education of Jones County in 1968 and Road Supervisor in 1970; Chairman of the Election Commission; and being elected to the Jones County Democratic Executive Committee; and

WHEREAS, hailed as a strong community pillar, Mr. Moody has been showered with awards and recognition, such as the NAACP Outstanding Achievement Award, Retired Volunteer Program Honor for community service as a senior volunteer, John H. Moody Day on August 8, 1996, declared by Mayor Susan B. Vincent, oldest delegate at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1996 at the age of 83, resolution in his honor from the Jones County Board of Supervisors, Hall of Fame Award for loyalty and service to the Mississippi Democratic Party, Distinguished Worshipful Masters Award, Currie/Chapman Family Reunion Appreciation Award and the Fannie Lou Hamer Award from the Mississippi State Democratic Party; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence in the lives of outstanding Mississippians such as Mr. Moody, whose life as a farmer, businessman, laborer, bus driver, Head Start Center Director, Christian and all around humanitarian was a pinnacle of excellence and served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all:

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 Mr. John H. Moody and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

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