House Concurrent Resolution 99

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MRS. DOROTHY ZELLE EVANS EDWARDS UPON THE OCCASION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dorothy Zelle Evans Edwards continues to live a life of service to her family, friends and community as a business leader, civil rights activist and participant in Democratic politics and other organizations on the local, state and national levels throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Evans was born on March 26, 1912, in Myrtlewood, Marengo County, Alabama, as the fourth of six children to Shep and Dora Lassiter Evans; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Edwards received her education in Sharkey County, Mississippi, at Alcorn College and as a collegiate for three years at Tennessee State A & I College; and after more than 30 years, she returned to college and graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Edwards united in holy matrimony to Mr. James Edwards on February 9, 1937, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and this union lasted until his death on October 9, 1974; and

WHEREAS, the sacred marital union of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards was blessed with the arrival of one beautiful daughter, Sidney Louise Edwards Cole; and

WHEREAS, excellence was her hallmark throughout her diverse professional life, including: as a classroom teacher for several years in the Sharkey County Schools; as a counselor for Youth House, Inc., in New York City, New York, during the late 1940s; as a community action specialist and disc jockey for a popular Greenville, Mississippi, morning radio format called the "D.Z. Edwards Show"; for 31 years, as the operator of the Edwards and Evans Funeral Home and Burial Association in Greenville alongside her husband and her late brother; and, following the death of her husband, as the owner and operator of that business until her retirement in 1983; and

WHEREAS, as an accomplished business leader, Mrs. Edwards effected change in her community through a balanced life with civic, political and social involvement in different capacities, such as: Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, vice president; Washington County Planning Committee, member; Washington County Cancer Drive, member; Washington County Educational Foundation, member; Mid-Delta Educational Association, board of directors; Washington County Progressive Voters League, member; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, member; Washington County Citizens Committee, member; N.A.A.C.P. of Washington County, political action committee and N.A.A.C.P. life member; State and National Negro Funeral Directors Association, member; Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation State Board, member; Washington County and Mississippi Democratic Party, member; Executive Committee of the Mississippi Democratic Party, member; and the 1980 Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden, New York City, alternate delegate; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Edwards relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, became an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, is a supporter of her church, and enjoys an active retirement and the devotion of friends and family; and

WHEREAS, though a faithful member of the Cathedral Basilica Catholic Church of St. Louis, Mrs. Edwards retains her loyalty to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greenville; and

WHEREAS, always a teacher, Mrs. Edwards interacts with health care providers, family, friends and fans through her love for sports and her loyalty to Atlanta Braves baseball, St. Louis Rams football, and any team to which Peyton Manning or Eli Manning belong; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize outstanding citizens of Mississippi, such as Mrs. Edwards, whose lives have left a lasting impact on numerous citizens throughout this great 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 and congratulate Mrs. Dorothy Zelle Evans Edwards upon the occasion of her 100th birthday and extend heartfelt best wishes for many birthdays to come.

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