Senate Concurrent Resolution 669

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MRS. ERMA HAMPTON DONALD NAYLOR OF DEKALB, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, one hundred years ago began an amazing journey of a hard-working hero. Mrs. Erma Donald Naylor, a lifetime resident of Kemper County, will be 100 years old on April 29, 2012. Mrs. Donald has been distinguished as an educator, caregiver and parent, who has given of herself so that the quality of life for others could be improved; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Erma Donald is the wife of the late Morris Donald and the mother of ten children, spanning five generations. She joined Hampton Quarters Baptist Church in DeKalb, Mississippi, which was renamed Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, where she has been a member since early childhood, and now is the eldest member of her church. Mrs. Erma raised her children, her children's children, raised half of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and opened her home up to many more children; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Erma Donald went to school at Hampton Quarters, in DeKalb, Mississippi, and graduated in the 8th Grade. She went to the Courthouse to sign up to for being a great scholar. She stated "only the best scholars went to school"; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Erma Donald's family farmed and sharecropped for a living. She picked cotton from dawn until dusk. She was a housewife and worked for people cleaning houses, ironing, washing clothes and dishes and canned food. Mrs. Donald was a Christian lady and was a strong believer of the Bible. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 23, and her favorite phrase is "I wanna go to Heaven and I wanna be right." Her favorite song is "Before this time another year I may be gone"; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Donald contributes her longevity to her faith in God. During her lifetime everyone who has had the honor of meeting her has been blessed by being in her presence and gaining the wisdom and knowledge that she offers. Mrs. Naylor's life spanned the administration of 18 United States Presidents from William Howard Taft to Barack Obama, and 26 Mississippi Governors from Earl Brewer to Phil Bryant. This family icon witnessed many historic events during her lifetime, including the invention of the automobile by Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers' first airplane flight and man's walk on the moon:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join her descendants and are indeed blessed to recognize Mrs. Erma Donald Naylor of DeKalb, Mississippi, on the occasion of her 1OOth Birthday, and extend our best wishes on this auspicious event.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mrs. Donald and her family, and forwarded to the Capitol Press Corps.