Senate Concurrent Resolution 563

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF JAMES M. RICHARDSON, WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST CONVENTION, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, James M. Richardson, 82, died on December 30, 2005, in Madison, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Richardson was a veteran, serving with the 96th Evacuation Hospital in Europe during World War II; and

WHEREAS, he graduated from Mississippi College, and was married to Narcissa Alexander Richardson for 57 years; and

WHEREAS, Richardson was a Pastor in Mississippi for over 40 years, pastoring Calvary Baptist Church, West Point, Mississippi; First Baptist Church, Leland, Mississippi; and First Baptist Church, Madison, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he was a trustee of several local, state and national boards, including the Home Mission Board, the Foreign Mission Board, the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, the Baptist Memorial Hospital Board (Memphis, Tennessee) and the Mississippi College Board of Trustees; and

WHEREAS, he served two terms as President of the Mississippi Baptist Convention; and

WHEREAS, survivors include his wife; three sons and spouses: Jay and Martha Richardson of Madison; Gary and Janet Richardson of Oxford; and Ian and Annette Richardson of Madison; one daughter (and spouse); Vivien and Keith Baty of Slidell, Louisiana; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life and ministry, he was able to touch many lives through his kindness, generosity and his love of life. His gentle magnetism, honesty and sincerity attracted a large circle of friends and co-workers; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this well-known Mississippi spiritual leader:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life of James M. Richardson, World War II Veteran, Pastor and former President of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, and express the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Mr. Richardson and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.