House Concurrent Resolution 64

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JAMES ERVIN DEES OF RIPLEY, MISSISSIPPI.

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, Mr. James Ervin Dees, to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Ripley, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend, community leader and loyal church member with the passing of Mr. Dees, who was born to the late George Irvin Dees and Bernice Moore Kelly on April 27, 1938; and

WHEREAS, upon graduating from Jumpertown High School, Mr. Dees commenced a lifetime of hard work and tireless devotion to public service in Tippah County when he was elected on January 3, 1984, as the Tippah County Circuit Clerk, a position through which he derived true joy for 28 years until declining health prevented him from seeking re-election; and

WHEREAS, always striving to not be a politician but a public servant, Mr. Dees solidified his seat in office year after year by running a campaign based on honesty and integrity, two of the wonderful characteristics that engulfed Mr. Dees himself, and because of that attitude of devotion, all of his employees cherished their tenure in his office because he created such an amiable working environment; and

WHEREAS, making friends throughout his career was never difficult for Mr. Dees, who, before his first swearing in ceremony, began forming those special relationships starting with his electoral opponents in the 1983 election, Bettye Hardin, and despite their discrepancies at the polls, Ms. Hardin was subsequently employed by Mr. Dees after his victory and considered her time spent under his authority to be one of the most enjoyable and best experiences of her life; and

WHEREAS, during his first term in office, on a day filled with sorrow, the body of a newborn baby was found by a lake west of Ripley, and while the baby was never identified, Mr. Dees, who was blessed with an exceedingly compassionate heart, used money from his own pocket to buy a tombstone for Baby Jane Doe's grave, and Mr. Dees visited the site of the grave marker, which still stands today, to pay his respects; and

WHEREAS, as evidence of the true showcase of his talents and compassion for others, Mr. Dees wrote a poem for Red Ribbon Week in 1995 that was set to music as a recitation and put on a CD so that the proceeds from the sales of the CD would be donated to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers in memory of his wife, Wanda Jean Wallis Dees, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver; and

WHEREAS, Red Ribbon Week, observed each October, is an alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign, and Mr. Dees was honored with the 1996 Victim Advocate Award by Tippah County Survival, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, despite his many awards and the recognition he received as an elected official, Mr. Dees never forgot his humble rearing and true roots, and was constantly consumed with an ardent fire of dedication to help the people who continually chose him to serve as their Circuit Clerk; and

WHEREAS, since his death, Mr. Dees has been fondly remembered for the many friends he had from all walks of life by his family and colleagues, who have so aptly described him as "a gem, one of the best, a true gentleman and a friend to many"; and

WHEREAS, when Mr. Dees was not busy diligently serving his community as Circuit Clerk, he was a faithful member of Concord Baptist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason, a Gideon, and a mom and dad to all his children; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dees' legacy of honesty, compassion and hard work lives on today in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him best as well as the countless lives he unknowingly impacted with his friendly demeanor; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, including his wife, his parents, two brothers and two brothers-in-law, the legacy of Mr. Dees memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: daughter, Regina Kuykendall; sons, Mike Dees, Bruce Dees and Chris Dees; step-daughter, Alicia Basham (John); sister, Evonne Garrett (Clay); a very special friend, the Honorable Kelly Luther; sisters-in-law, Barbara Dees, Donna Murr, Annie Margaret Mauney (Noby) and Lillie Wallis; grandchildren, Cassidy Jumper (Torrie), Hope Barkley (Jake), Halley Kirkman (Adam), Ashley Dees and Ryan Dees (Nikki); great-grandchildren, Gunnar Kirkman, Emma Barkley, Brayden Kirkman, Skylar Barkley, Glen Ashton Jumper, Mya Cruz Wilson and Hattie Kirkman; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends who are left to mourn his absence; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the life of outstanding Mississippians such as Mr. James Ervin Dees, whose exemplary life of hard work, faithful service and commitment to others and his entire community serves as a model to which all may aspire:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of James Ervin Dees of Ripley, Mississippi, and express heartfelt sympathy to his family, colleagues and many friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. James Ervin Dees and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.