House Concurrent Resolution 7

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF REVEREND IVORY J. JAMES AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY UPON HIS PASSING AT THE AGE OF 103.

WHEREAS, on Monday, June 8, 2009, the State of Mississippi lost a great theologian and biblical scholar when Reverend Ivory J. James passed away at the age of 103 to enter into life eternal with his Heavenly Father; and

WHEREAS, this man of God was born April 21, 1906, in Natchez, Mississippi, to the late William and Alice James; and

WHEREAS, he gave his life to Christ in 1924, and in 1929, he accepted his call into the ministry; and

WHEREAS, all who knew Reverend James, understood that his goal and purpose in life was to follow the mandates of Matthew 28: 19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever that I have commanded you...," always declaring, "...he that winneth souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:31); and

WHEREAS, he married the love of his life, Winnie Sanders, in November of 1927, and remained married to her for 71 years until she passed to glory on April 9, 1998; and

WHEREAS, to this blessed and beautiful union, three children, Aaron, Ivory and Josephine, were born, and Bonnie, a granddaughter, who was lovingly reared by Reverend James and his wife; and

WHEREAS, a true student of Christianity, he earned a number of diplomas and certificates evidencing his training; and

WHEREAS, diligently completing a course study in English Bible Theology at the Mississippi Baptist Seminary on May 24, 1956, he later acquired a Bachelor of Theology from the Mississippi Baptist Seminary on May 28, 1971; and

WHEREAS, he also acquired a number of theological certifications including, but not limited to: Certificate for the Extension Class for Town and Rural Churchmen conducted by the Department of Religion at Fisk University on June 25, 1948, Membership Certificate for the Million Friends Club of the Mississippi Baptist Seminary on April 20, 1972, and a Certificate of Completion of the Summer Minister's Conference as evidence of his interest in maintaining the highest standards in "Gospel For Our Time" from the Division of Religious Affairs at Mississippi Valley State University on June 3, 1981; and

WHEREAS, as evidence of his practice of brotherly love, the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board honored him on October 20, 1994, with the Brown-Davis Award for Racial Reconciliation for assisting in bridging the racial gap during the 1960s and 1970s; and

WHEREAS, because he believed that a man of God should be set apart from ordinary men, Reverend James was also known for being well-dressed and fully suited from head to toe 365 days of a year; and

WHEREAS, during his lifetime of ministry, his spiritual flock included 13 churches: Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Sunflower, Mississippi; Strangers Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Grapeland, Mississippi; Freedom Missionary Baptist Church of Helena, Arkansas; Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Sand Pit, Mississippi; New Africa Missionary Baptist Church and Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Renova, Mississippi; Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Helms, Mississippi; Spangle Banner Missionary Baptist Church and Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Shaw, Mississippi; Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church of Rosedale, Mississippi; Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church of Mound Bayou, Mississippi; New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Blaine, Mississippi; and Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Tutwiler, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, a zealous advocate of teaching the scripture, Reverend James believed that the teaching of Jesus's saving grace was a lifetime commitment without retirement, and as evidence of this belief, he remained as Pastor of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (62 years), the Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church (50 years), and the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church (39 years) until the Lord called him home; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his pastoral duties, Reverend James served as a founding member of the Bolivar County Association; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated member of the organization, he served as the Vice Moderator for the Bolivar County Baptist Association for approximately 40 years until he was elevated to the position of Moderator, that he held from 1990 to 1994; and

WHEREAS, always practicing Matthew 28:19-20, he served as an instructor at the Mississippi Baptist Seminary for over 12 years; and

WHEREAS, cherishing his memory and honoring the spiritual legacy that he created, he leaves his daughter, Josephine Morris; a granddaughter, Bonnie James, who was reared as his daughter; 19 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, he leaves a legacy of positive spiritual growth, instruction and lifestyle that reaches far beyond the lives of the members of his church flock; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the life accomplishments of such a fine man of God such as Reverend James, who has saved so many souls and improved the lives of many Mississippians, thus enhancing the quality of life for multitudes within our state:

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 of Reverend Ivory J. James 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 Reverend James and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.