Senate Resolution 46

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LEGACY OF PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE OF LEO "BUD" TURNER OF WAYNESBORO, MISSISSIPPI, FOR HIS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.

WHEREAS, Leo Turner has faithfully served for many years on the Board of Directors of Friends of Children of Mississippi, Inc., to bring services to children and families in the Wayne County area, and it is with appreciation that we recognize his dedication and devotion to this public and charitable service; and

WHEREAS, Leo Turner, the eldest son of the late Mr. Bennie Turner and the late Mrs. Freddie Gamblin, was born in Waynesboro, Mississippi, on September 23, 1930; and

WHEREAS, since 1961, he owned and operated Turner Funeral Home in Beaumont, Mississippi. In 1972, the business branched out to Quitman, and in 1979, the business expanded to Pascagoula. For a short period of time in the mid-1960's, there was also a branch office in Collins, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in October of 1966, Mr. Turner joined a group of neighbors in their struggle to gain funds to operate a Head Start program in Wayne County, the only existing federal program that offered maximum feasible participation of the poor; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Turner saw the Head Start program as a vehicle to bring about much needed change in the communities served by the program. Since it began, Friends of Children sponsored numerous programs, in addition to Head Start, to bring services and provide employment to the community. Programs such as the Summer Feeding Program, Summer Youth Program, CETA Projects, etc. He was instrumental in bringing a service station and felt strongly that the county should have a shopping center and a community cooperative cannery; and

WHEREAS, in April of 1969, leaders of Wayne County organized the Wayne County Credit Union to benefit low-income people of the county. Also, in 1969 Mr. Turner, the late Mr. Odell Gray and the late Mr. Willie Hogan were heavily involved in the Wayne County Voters' League in an effort to bring about political education and increase political involvement in Wayne County; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Turner replaced the late Reverend W.G. Goff as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Friends of Children of Mississippi, Inc., in 1968. Over the past 36 years he has demonstrated courage and vision in a fight for a cause which he has made his own. Through the 1970's, he was instrumental in assuring that more than $13,000,000.00 had been provided in services and employment in Wayne, Greene, Clarke and Humphreys Counties; and

WHEREAS, in the early 1970's, new regulations were issued for parent involvement. Center Committee Chairpersons must now be the parent of a child currently enrolled in a Head Start center. Being a person who always followed the guidelines and procedures, he corrected the situation. Being a great reader of the Bible, he followed the example of Job. The birth of Junior, 11-1/2 years younger than Denise, and Brandice, 5 years younger than Junior, assured him a position on the Center Committee throughout that decade; and

WHEREAS, at an early age Mr. Turner realized that the only important things were to serve God and his fellowman. Although he was always active in the church, at 15 years of age he joined the St. Luke Baptist Church, where he has been active for 59 years. He is a member of the Deacon Board. Fifty-three years ago, Mr. Turner joined the Masonic Lodge of Waynesboro #237. He has grown from Master Mason to a 32 Degree Mason. He has also served as Senior Warden, the second highest position in the lodge; and

WHEREAS, on April 15, 1980, the people of Waynesboro were fortunate to elect Mr. Turner to its Board of Aldermen. This was a position Mr. Turner would hold for 13 years, serving as Mayor Pro Tem during two of his terms in office. Mr. Turner demonstrated a liberal and human outlook on the problems of that time and showed courage and ability to do something about them. His concern for the citizens' input in situations involving the City of Waynesboro exhibited great leadership; and

WHEREAS, on August 23, 1955, Bud Turner married Leola McGill, and today they remain President and Secretary of Turner Funeral Home. Mrs. Leola Turner did fulfill one of her ambitions and taught school until the birth of her fourth child, Leo II. The Turners were blessed with five beautiful children: four girls, Olia, Anita, Denise and Brandice; and one son, "Junior." They are the proud grandparents of three and great-grandparents of one; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Turner has been involved in the Mississippi Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and the NAACP. Friends of Children of Mississippi is indeed honored that Mr. Turner has joined together with them to improve the conditions of the poor; and

WHEREAS, we are extremely proud of Mr. Turner's leadership and the great sacrifices he has made to realize the aims of Friends of Children:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the legacy of public and charitable service of Leo "Bud" Turner of Waynesboro, Mississippi, for his many contributions to Friends of Children of Mississippi, Inc., and to the people of East Central Mississippi, and wish him and his family success in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Leo Turner and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.