House Concurrent Resolution 117

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF JOHN N. GRUBBS, FORMER DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, John Neil Grubbs, born June 16, 1945, to the late Dale and Eva Johnson Grubbs, departed this earthly life on Sunday, September 3, 2006, at the age of 61, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, a native of Simpson County, Commissioner Grubbs resided in Brandon, Mississippi, where he was a charter member of Brandon Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, having received his formal education at Magee High School, Commissioner Grubbs matriculated further at the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a bachelor of science degree in psychology; and

WHEREAS, having spent all of his professional career as an employee of the State of Mississippi, which spanned the course of more than 30 years, Commissioner Grubbs' first occupation was that of counselor at the Oakley Training School, before being promoted to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Programs during his stint with the facility from 1970 through 1979; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Grubbs was hired in 1979 by the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) as Director of the Restitution Center, promoted in 1985 to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Community Services, which he maintained until his retirement in 2001, and also served as Deputy Commissioner of Institutions; and

WHEREAS, present records in the history of MDOC, which was created by the Corrections Act of 1976, indicates that Commissioner Grubbs was the longest serving commissioner employed by the agency; and

WHEREAS, when Commissioner Grubbs assumed the role of Deputy Commissioner, MDOC was heading in a new direction in its effort of combating the ever present problem of prison overcrowding; and

WHEREAS, under his leadership and his cooperative relationship with the Legislature, Commissioner Grubbs' career accomplishments and correctional improvements include: the construction of an additional community work center and the decentralization of the Parchman prison system; the opening of the Rankin County Correctional Center (1986); the opening of the South Mississippi Correctional Institution (1989); the implementation of private prisons, with the opening of Marshall County Correctional Facility, Delta Correctional Facility, Wilkinson County Correctional Facility and East Mississippi Correctional Facility; and the creation of co-regional facilities in the counties of Issaquena, Jefferson-Franklin, Leake, Carroll-Montgomery, Winston-Choctaw, Marion-Walthall, Bolivar, Kemper, Holmes and Stone; and

WHEREAS, during the course of his distinguished career, Commissioner Grubbs has served under eight Mississippi governors and 11 of 13 MDOC Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, affectionately referred to as "the white-headed man" among the inmate population, Commissioner Grubbs' tenure with MDOC earned him the respect for one who spent his entire life in service to corrections and law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to stand on golden heavenly shores, where the effects of time shall be no more, the memory of his legacy will thrive in the lives of those he leaves behind: wife, Cheryl D. Grubbs; daughters, Suzanne R. Hall and Cindy R. (Carl) Widdig; grandchildren, Jessica, James, Jullie and Jonathan; sisters, Evelyn Bousson and Billie Jean Thornton; and a host of other relatives, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the service, career and life of one so dedicated to his state, family and church as Commissioner Grubbs, whose life is a testament of advocating good will and the opportunity for a second chance:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and dedicated service of John N. Grubbs, former Deputy Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections Community Services Division and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Commissioner Grubbs and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.