House Resolution 121

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. ROBBIE LEE SMITH, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Robbie Lee Smith, to eternal rest, as she has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the Bolton community lost a wonderful friend, community pillar, matriarch and upstanding Christian servant on Sunday, March 10, 2013, with the passing of Mrs. Smith, who was born on February 24, 1934, in Bolton, Mississippi, to the late Mrs. Bertha Lee Cavett and Mr. Pierce Mack Carter; and

WHEREAS, having accepted Christ early in her childhood, Mrs. Smith was one who relied heavily upon her faith, and her work demonstrated her belief in, and support of, God's teachings which were made evident through her service to and membership at Mt. Oliver Baptist Church in Bolton until her health declined; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to the building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the Great Deity, Mrs. Smith's heart was pierced by the love, chivalry and affection of Mr. Clifton Smith, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony; and

WHEREAS, a hard worker and congenial spirit, Mrs. Smith worked as an educator at the Hinds County Head Start for 27 years, molding and shaping the impressionable and educable minds of the county's student population, instilling in them the principles of hard work and the benefits of a quality education; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon her arrival to the celestial shores of heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mrs. Smith's memory, which if put to music, would be a majestic symphonic masterpiece composed by the Holy Trinity, will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: children, Andrew Smith, Clifton Smith, Jr., Minnie Ether, Willie Smith, Cleveland Smith, Irie Smith, Alexander Smith, Mildred Smith, Earnest Smith and Roger Smith; 37 grandchildren; 78 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, friends and church members; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selfless nurturing and mother-wit of an individual of such esteemed caliber as Mrs. Smith, who devoted her life to shaping the lives of all she encountered through both her professional and Christian service:

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 Mrs. Robbie Lee Smith, and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon the occasion of her passing.

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