House Concurrent Resolution 120

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER MAYOR OF TCHULA, MISSISSIPPI, YVONNE RAYFORD BROWN, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Yvonne Rayford Brown, former Mayor of Tchula, Mississippi, departed this earthly life to enter into eternal rest, causing great sorrow and loss to her family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Brown was educated at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, where she earned her bachelor of science degree in 2007; and

WHEREAS, from 2001 through 2009, she served as Mayor of Tchula, and during her time as mayor, she served with great dignity and a zeal for improving her town; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Brown was serving in the capacity of County Director of the Department of Human Services for Lowndes County at the time of her passing, and she held numerous positions of employment throughout her impressive career including: USDA - FSA special governmental employee; MDH/WIC - Holmes, Attala, Humphreys and Bolivar Counties; office manager for Mission Mississippi in Jackson, Mississippi; customer service representative for Pharmacy Corporation of America in Dallas, Texas; material control/expeditor for Irvin Automotive in Greenwood, Mississippi; OEM expeditor for Monroe Auto Equipment in Monroe, Michigan; Equitable Life in Northwest Ohio and co-founder of Grace Community Church in Tchula; and

WHEREAS, her roles of service to the State of Mississippi are expansive, but her most notable roles were those of personal attachment and connection, including: Keep Mississippi Beautiful Board of Directors, member; Mississippi State Workforce Board of Directors, member; Abundant Blessing Theological, trustee; Tchula Library Board of Directors, member; Southern Baptist Women's Missionary Union, special ministry worker; and Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors Executive Board, chaplain; and

WHEREAS, as a driving force in bringing industry and business into numerous communities in Mississippi, she is remembered as one of the most intelligent and energetic persons who possessed a contagious, natural drive to improve her community and spark growth; and

WHEREAS, friends remember Mayor Brown for her diligent, tireless and relentless dedication to her fellowman, community and state; and

WHEREAS, although she has now made life's great transition into immortality to join in the heavenly chorus, the rich legacy of familial and community devotion will be forever and indelibly etched into the hearts and memories of her loving survivors, including: daughters, Nichole Barnett and Aliya Barnett; mother, Hilda Rayford; sisters, LaVonne Rayford Chestang and Gail Rayford Ambeau; and a host of other family and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the life and legacy of the daughters of Mississippi, such as Mayor Brown, who devoted her life to service and who touched the lives of countless individuals in her community and in 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 the life and legacy of Mayor Yvonne Rayford Brown, a dedicated mother as well as a great humanitarian, businesswoman, community servant and friend, and express deepest sympathy to her family and many friends upon her passing.

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