House Resolution 12

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MRS. ANNIE CRUDUP-WARD LOWERY UPON BEING NAMED AMONG MISSISSIPPI'S FIFTY LEADING BUSINESS WOMEN BY THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL.

WHEREAS, in the mid-1990s, Annie Crudup-Ward Lowery's life seemed to be progressing according to plan as she and her husband, Willie, were realizing their dream of building an activity center to provide much-needed services for the youth of Scott County; and

WHEREAS, living in Pennsylvania at the time and driving to Mississippi every month to check on the construction project, Mrs. Lowery's plans were short-lived when her husband died at the age of 47; and

WHEREAS, overcoming the loss of her husband, Mrs. Lowery, faced with the adversity presented by being diagnosed with a major illness, completed the challenges of Phase I and Phase II of the construction project with the help of her parents and siblings; and

WHEREAS, assisted by her oldest son, Curtis Ward, who received his degree in finance from Xavier University, the Crudup-Ward Activity Center opened in November 1996, offering child care for 144 children per shift, after school and summer programs, senior citizens programs, a food pantry, Certified Community Housing Development Organization services and more; and

WHEREAS, the eldest of 12 children born to A.B. and Catherine Crudup of Pulaski, Mississippi, Mrs. Lowery earned a business administration degree from Alcorn State University, and after marrying Willie, moved to Moscow, Idaho, where she was hired as an accountant for Washington State University; and

WHEREAS, later moving to Boise, Idaho, she worked for Idaho First National Bank and eventually earned a diploma in banking from the University of Wisconsin and continued her studies in a graduate business course at Widener University; and

WHEREAS, on August 30, 2003, Mrs. Lowery was united in holy matrimony to Roy Lowery, and continued her endless pursuit of helping the youth, resulting in many honors and recognitions, including the 2006 Professional Woman Image Award presented by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Nu Pi Zeta Chapter; and

WHEREAS, supported by her husband, Roy; sons, Steven and Andrae; and two grandsons, Mrs. Lowery remains active in every facet of her community, serving on the advisory board for the Scott County Times, Third New Hope District Congress, National Association of Colored Women's Club's East Central Federated Unit, Order of Eastern Stars and a life member of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the diligence of such outstanding Mississippians as Mrs. Lowery, whose work and dedication to the development and success of the Crudup-Ward Activity Center has benefited the youth and communities of Scott County:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mrs. Annie Crudup-Ward Lowery upon being selected one of Mississippi's Leading Business Women by the Mississippi Business Journal and extend our wishes for continued success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Annie Lowery and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.