MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Watson

House Resolution 50

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF MRS. VON KYLE HERSEY AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

     WHEREAS, Von Kyle Hersey, born September 10, 1957, to Ms. Bonnie Lee Long and Mr. Julius Nathaniel Long in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, departed this life to enter into eternal rest, causing great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Hersey confessed a hope in and accepted Christ as her personal Savior at the age of fourteen, and united with the Pine Grove Baptist Church; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Hersey began her academic career at Earl Travilion Attendance Center and graduated from the Petal Public School District, thereafter she enrolled at William Carey College where she matriculated to earn a bachelor of arts degree in history; and

     WHEREAS, after graduation and the commencement of her professional career, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., united in the bond of holy matrimony with Roosevelt Hersey and worked with the South Mississippi Electric Power Association for thirteen years before beginning her career in teaching; and

     WHEREAS, later joining the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Mrs. Hersey was very active in the church congregation by serving as Sunday School teacher and as an initiator of the "Kids for Christ" Youth Ministry, in addition to fulfilling her obligations as a secondary educator at Hattiesburg High School, where she taught history, sponsored the school's Golden Misses and  National Beta Club and served as advisor to the Student Council; and

     WHEREAS, the life of Mrs. Hersey was as the beauty and fragrance of flowers that brighten the countryside, and not lived in vain, for it filled its place in the world and will forever fill a place in the hearts and memories of her loved ones; and

     WHEREAS, her soul is safe with the Heavenly Father to dwell throughout eternity, we give thanks to Almighty God for Mrs. Hersey's life, and honor her legacy along with her survivors including:  a loving husband, Roosevelt Hersey; children, Brandi, Britti'ney and Brandon; mother, Bonnie Lee Long; two aunts, Ms. Annie L. Cole and Ms. Irma L. Williams; two uncles, Joe Myers and Donnie F. Myers; siblings, Larry Myers, Brenda Stallworth, JoAnn

(Jerry) Aultman, Yvonne (Donnis) Boochie and Darlene (Dennis) Mallet; her second family, including father, Johnny B. (Betty) Hopson; brother, Jonathan (Kim) Hopson; sister, Ms. Haley Hopson; mother-in-law, Gladys Bullock; sisters-in-law, Rena Gaye and Melissa Hersey; special friends, Mary Jones and Andrelle Nicholson; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the lives of remarkable Mississippians, such as Mrs. Hersey, whose life touched and changed the countenance of many:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY The House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi, That we do hereby commend the life of Mrs. Von Kyle Hersey 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 Mrs. Hersey's husband, Mr. Roosevelt Hersey, to cherish on behalf of the family and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.