House Resolution 37

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. SAM BARLOW PARKER TO EDUCATION, THIS STATE AND HIS COMMUNITY IN THE TOWN OF FLORENCE, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, born in Harrisville, Mississippi, on March 3, 1922, Mr. Sam Barlow Parker got his humble beginning and work ethic while being reared on a Harrisville farm and working on two of his uncle's farms; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Harrisville High School in 1939, Mr. Parker attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College (Co-Lin) and continued to work on the family farm in addition to working for the athletic department at Co-Lin before transferring to Mississippi A&M, which later changed to Mississippi State College, and is now known as Mississippi State University, where he worked in the cafeteria and at the YMCA and earned a degree in education; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parker joined the United States Army and reported to Camp Shelby on May 2, 1943, shortly after the war's onset, underwent six weeks of basic training and spent approximately one year at Camp Lee, Virginia, before being deployed for a two-year tour of combat duty in the South Pacific; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parker commenced his teaching career upon his return from military service at Inverness High School, where he remained for a year teaching vocational agriculture before moving to Florence to run a grocery store with his brothers, Roy and Bud; and

WHEREAS, it was also during this time that Mr. Parker began teaching and coaching boys and girls basketball at Florence High School, forging lasting relationships with his ex-players and students; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parker served as Principal of Florence High School before being named Superintendent of the Florence Schools, a position wherein he was able to recruit many outstanding teachers, administrators and coaches and built a new high school in 1965 before leaving later that year to become the Assistant Superintendent of Education in Madison County and then Rankin County before eventually becoming the Federal Programs Director for the Mississippi Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, after 17 years in the Department of Education, Mr. Parker retired in 1986 to his home in the Town of Florence, where his impact over the past 60 years has been significant, not only in education, but as a founding member of the Florence Lion's Club and many other civic contributions; and

WHEREAS, his love and dedication to his beloved home is reflected in the city naming a downtown street after him as well as the old high school gymnasium, which is now the new middle school; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parker, who lost his loving wife, Maude Ellen Parker, to cancer in 1961, has enjoyed the days of his retirement to the fullest with sons, Randy and Bob, and their families and Mississippi State University athletics, in addition to serving on the Region 8 Mental Health Board and the Hinds Community College Board for Rankin County; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence in the lives of such a remarkable individual as Mr. Parker, whose contribution to education in Mississippi has had long lasting and far reaching effects upon the lives of many Mississippians and students throughout the southern region:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and contributions of Mr. Sam Barlow Parker to education throughout the state and for his diligence in service to his home community of Florence, Mississippi, and extend sincere and heartfelt wishes for continued health, love, joy and success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Sam Barlow Parker and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.