House Resolution 89

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. CLIFFORD F. DANCE, JR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mr. Clifford F. Dance, Jr., born on January 24, 1944, the second child of Reverend Clifford Ferns Dance, Sr., and Alice Ruby Dance of Clearwater, Florida, departed this earthly life on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at the age of 67, to enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, after his graduation from Union County High School in Lake Butler, Florida, in advancement of his educational and career interests, Mr. Dance attended the University of Florida, where he received his undergraduate degree in 1967, and later acquired gainful employment with the United States Sugar Corporation; and

WHEREAS, seeking a change of scenery and chartering a new course of life for his family, Mr. Dance moved his family to Winona, Mississippi, in 1973 and began his entrepreneurial undertakings as founder of United States Cattle Corporation and United States Corrulite Corporation, establishing himself as an avid, shrewd and esteemed businessman; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his personal business ventures, he was a longtime row crop farmer, contributed his professional knowledge and accountability to the Greenwood Farmers' Supply and coowner of the D&W Cattle Company and Gowan Stockyards; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dance's business-savvy reputation preceded him in his undertakings, which allowed him to serve as: a Winona City Alderman, President of the Montgomery County Economic Development Partnership Board, Montgomery County Farm Bureau Board, Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital Board, Winona-Montgomery County Airport Board, The Tom Dulin Foundation for Excellence in Education, and Carroll-Leflore-Montgomery Cattlemen's Association; and

WHEREAS, not only an individual of paramount importance on the local level, Mr. Dance was highly respected throughout the State of Mississippi as past President of the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association, member of the Mississippi Beef Council Board, the Mississippi Cattlemen's Foundation Board and inductee into the Mississippi Cattlemen's Hall of Fame, and nationally as a member of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Federation Board and Region II National Cattlemen's Association, of which he was past president; and

WHEREAS, though he has now traversed the river of life to now stand upon heaven's celestial shore to join in the members of God's holy Calvary, in the further fulfillment of the Christian duty he began as a member of Moore Memorial United Methodist Church, the legacy of his memory will be most cherished by his loving survivors: wife, Shirley Driggers Dance; sons, Clifford "Trae" Dance III and Robert Paul Dance; daughter, Caroline Dance Caldwell; grandchildren, Dalton Clifford Dance, Brittany Elaine Dance, Virginia "Ginny" Lou Dance, Zachary Thomas Caldwell, and Robert Paul Dance, Jr.; sister, Joy Marie Dance; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such a diligent and esteemed individual as Mr. Dance, whose life was marked by his commitment to serving others and hard work:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mr. Clifford F. Dance, Jr., 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 Mr. Dance and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.