House Resolution 40

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF HELEN W. CURTIS (BIG TOD) AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Helen W. Curtis (Big Tod), born September 7, 1914, to Mr. and Mrs. William Leon McFarland, departed this earthly life to enter into eternal rest with her heavenly Father on Saturday, February 28, 2004, causing great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, reared in Newton, Mississippi, Mrs. Curtis graduated from Newton Vocational High School and furthered her education through the University of Southern Mississippi and Tuskegee Institute; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Curtis devoted more than 30 years of her life to various civic works in her community and Hattiesburg for the betterment of the black movement; and

WHEREAS, in the span of her years of service beginning in the 1960s, she served in several clubs, organizations, church and professional committees until her health began to fail; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Curtis was a member of the Parent Teacher Associations/Organizations at Grace Love, Little Burney and Hattiesburg High School, member of the Jennie Brown Circle, Forrest County NAACP, United Methodist Women, NAACP Advisory Committee, Sunday School youth teacher, Neighborhood Enhancement, Voters' Registration Committee, Retarded Association for Special Education Students and organizer of the Gift for Christ Program at St. Paul United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, for her service, Mrs. Curtis was a three time recipient of the NAACP Mother of the Year Award, in addition to being named the Long Distance Runner for St. Paul United Methodist Church, Mother of the Year for the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed the waters of life to now stand on the golden heavenly shores, Mrs. Curtis' legacy will forever live on in the hearts and memories of her survivors, including: son, Malcolm Curtis, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Gwendolyn Curtis; three grandsons, Malcolm (Ebony) Curtis III, Kelley D. Curtis and George E. Curtis; four sisters, Yvonne W. McFarland, Joy M. Griffith, Julia P. Babbs and Bennye K. Seraile; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the lives of such remarkable individuals as Mrs. Curtis, whose life and services transcended the barriers of race, culture and social status to make a positive difference in the lives of many Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Mrs. Helen W. Curtis (Big Tod) and express 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. Helen W. Curtis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.