House Resolution 75

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND WORKS OF REVEREND JERRY LEE SALLEY AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Reverend Jerry Lee Salley departed this life on November 25, 2005, causing a great loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Salley, a native of Indianola, was born on October 31, 1943, to his caring and loving parents, the late Oscar and Edna Timbs Salley; and

WHEREAS, a staunch believer in education, Reverend Salley graduated from Delta State University and later was active in various aspects of education and administration at Coahoma Community College and Agricultural High School; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Salley retired as an assistant to the President of Coahoma Community College and Agricultural High School after faithfully serving the school for 27 years; and

WHEREAS, after retiring, Reverend Salley attended Memphis Theological Seminary and graduated with a master's degree of theology and served as the Assistant Chaplain at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Salley also served as a Methodist minister in Friars Point, Lula and Longtown and was serving as the minister of Sageville and Wesley United Methodist Churches in Meridian at the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Salley traveled the country presenting "Jerry Salley as Mark Twain," in which he skillfully appeared throughout the Mid-South and helped charities raise tens of thousands of dollars with his excellent portrayal of the American author; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Salley is survived by his lovely and supportive wife, Peggy; four children, Liza, Christopher, Carol and Carl; grandchildren, Merrill, Anna, Ella, Laura, John, JP, Andy, Melissa, Jenny, Brian, Evon, Cierra and Virginia; and four great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and pay tribute to an exemplary Mississippian such as Reverend Jerry Lee Salley who devoted his life to improving the education system and to ministering to those in need:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and works of Reverend Jerry Lee Salley and express our deepest sympathy to his family during their time of loss.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Reverend Jerry Lee Salley and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.