House Resolution 136

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICE AND LEGACY OF FORMER ALCORN COUNTY SUPERVISOR AND DECORATED WORLD WAR II VETERAN, SULLY DETROY AYERS, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Sully Detroy Ayers, born on June 11, 1920, to the late Florence Ayers Rowland and Kim Rowland, departed this earthly life at the age of 90 years, after having rendered his reasonable and valiant service to God, his country and mankind, to enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, a United States Army Veteran of World War II, landing on D-Day in France, who served in General Patton's Army and in the Army of Occupation, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star for Gallantry and Bravery and the Purple Heart, Mr. Ayers' laudable and meritorious service afforded his final moment of rest to be acknowledged with full military honors on January 23, 2011, at the Union Baptist Church with burial at the church cemetery; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ayers was a former city street commissioner, county supervisor, who served as President of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors, and election commissioner for 12 years, in addition to wearing his business professional's hat as owner of Ayers and Mattox Construction Company; and

WHEREAS, a 32nd Degree Mason by membership and a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars by service and sacrifice, Mr. Ayers was an individual who loved God, and evidenced that love through his infinite affection for his family and friends, especially his children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to now stand upon Heaven's celestial shores in a reunion of the ages with those who preceded him in death, including, his wife, Lila Fern Ayers, and daughter, Nina Gale Benjamin, and the legacy of his bountifully dutiful life will continue to be cherished by his survivors: son, Buddy Ayers; sister, Olene Ross; four grandchildren, Scott Benjamin, Brett Benjamin, Tara Ayers and Shawn Ayers; five great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Jim Benjamin; 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 remarkably selfless and devoted individual as Mr. Ayers, whose unmatched service to this state and nation serve as a constant reminder and inspiration to all to live life with purpose:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, public service and legacy of former Alcorn County Supervisor and decorated World War II Veteran, Sully Detroy Ayers, of Corinth, Mississippi, extend the admiration of a grateful state for his public service 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 surviving family of Mr. Ayers, the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.