House Resolution 22

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF MRS. PAULINE MATTHEWS AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON THE CELEBRATION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Pauline Matthews of Union, Mississippi, is celebrating the blessed milestone of the occasion of her 100th birthday on March 28, 2010; and

WHEREAS, having lived during some of the most difficult eras in America's history, Mrs. Matthews has relied on God as the driving force to overcome the bleakest of circumstances in life, including congestive heart failure and deafness, and through it all, she truly has been blessed with the gift of perseverance; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Matthews, a woman of grace and beauty, has seen America change from an agricultural society to an advanced technological industrial giant, and on her watch, she has observed the actions of several United States Presidents and Magnolia State Governors; and

WHEREAS, on March 28, 1910, Mrs. Matthews was born to the late Sam and Josie Rice Germany of Neshoba County, Mississippi, and was reared in Christian love; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Matthews, a God-fearing woman and believer, was reared in the Church and can quote practically any verse in the Bible; and

WHEREAS, even today Mrs. Matthews can remember a variety of historical accounts about growing up during many significant times in the growth of the United States of America and the Magnolia State; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Matthews met the late Hugh Matthews at life's intersection of love and affection, and after a loving courtship, the two were united in matrimonial bonds in 1933 and shared a wonderful marriage full of love, respect and honor; and

WHEREAS, out of this holy and blessed union were born two loving children, Dr. Milton D. (Bud) Matthews of Pearl and Polly M. Gordon of Union; and

WHEREAS, exemplary of her Christ-like love, Mrs. Matthews always puts her community and neighborhood first and places herself a distant second in her daily life without complaint; and

WHEREAS, before her marriage, Mrs. Matthews taught school at the "BeBetter" School in Neshoba County; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Matthews and her husband owned and operated together the Matthews Grocery in Union, Mississippi, from 1940 until they retired and closed the doors to the store in 1977; and

WHEREAS, known for her steadfast service to the community and to God, Mrs. Matthews believes service to be rewarding and for years and years, has taught the local children that serving the Lord forever pays off; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor and recognize the life of such an astonishingly noble, experienced and gentle soul as Mrs. Pauline Matthews, whose life is a testament of her faith in God:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Mrs. Pauline Matthews, congratulate her upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th birthday and extend warmest wishes for many more years of good health, love and peace.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Pauline Matthews and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.