House Concurrent Resolution 21

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MR. JOHN LELAND MAUNEY AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and a 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. John Leland Mauney, 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 City of Ripley lost a wonderful friend, devoted Christian, patriot and community icon on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, with the passing of Mr. Mauney, a selfless imparter of life and light who was born on January 3, 1925, in Tippah County to his late parents, Joseph Roy "J.R." and Rosalee Bentley Mauney; and

WHEREAS, from his humble beginnings at Spout Springs Elementary School, Leland went on to graduate from Centre District High School in 1942 under the leadership of Principal Guy Powell, a man Leland thought highly of throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, in the year 1943, Mr. Mauney reached the draft eligible age of 18, and when he received his draft card in the mail, he immediately answered the call of the United States to serve his country; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mauney trained at Fort Walton, Texas, enduring six weeks of basic training to become an infantryman before he was deployed from Staten Island on a Liberty Ship, becoming one of thousands of replacement soldiers on the troop ship; and

WHEREAS, the journey across the Atlantic was a shockingly new experience for this young 18-year-old from Mississippi, Leland's ship was protected by a convoy of 15 to 20 ships with destroyers and battleships and he suffered from seasickness throughout the trip; and

WHEREAS, deployed to the European Theatre to confront the fanatical regime of the Axis Powers, Mr. Mauney's troop stayed behind at first, but was called up to the front lines in Italy just behind the Battle of Anzio Beach, to view a terrifying scene of a land covered with dead farm animals as the soldiers prepared to invade Southern France as a part of the 36th Infantry; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mauney suffered a devastating injury 42 days after he landed in Southern France when an exploding shell knocked him down, and without losing consciousness, he was aware that he could no longer feel his right arm; and

WHEREAS, a medic known only as "Smithy" covered Leland with his own body and sent him to a tent hospital, where he was patched up, placed in another Liberty Ship and sent to Oliver General Hospital in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mauney lost part of his right arm and underwent more than 17 operations on that arm throughout the 1940s, and for this incredible bravery and sacrifice, he was awarded the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, before he was discharged in 1947, Mr. Mauney fought with tremendous valor, serving in the infantry as a scout, he earned a Silver Star in September of 1944 for destroying an enemy machine gun position that was delaying Company A's advancement, fearlessly exposing himself to hostile fire; and

WHEREAS, a war hero by any definition, Mr. Mauney additionally earned the Bronze Medal before returning home to Ripley, Mississippi, where, as fate would have it, he married the love of his life, Geneva Moffitt, and devoted his next 38 years to the United States Postal Service; and

WHEREAS, a man of extraordinary faith and dedication to God his Father, Leland was an active member of Ripley Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon, elder and president of his Sunday School class; and

WHEREAS, devoted to his community, Leland was an avid athlete, playing golf and basketball and was a longtime booster of Ripley High School sports, and he additionally served as the treasurer of the Civitan Club and maintained membership in many other Veterans organizations; 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 parents; his brother, Wayne Mauney; his sister, Kathleen Mauney Jones, the legacy of Mr. Mauney will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: his devoted wife, Geneva Moffitt Mauney; two daughters, Marcia Mauney Eaton and Connie Mauney Jeanes; one son, John Leland Mauney, Jr.; six grandchildren, Laura, Mallory, Scott, Rosalie, Lee and Brittany; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Sam and Mark; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the life of a remarkable community servant, loving family man and patriot such as Mr. Mauney, whose life's light was an impassioned beacon of inspiration to all as he imparted his life's light of wisdom into the lives of all he encountered along this earthly sojourn:

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, commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. John Leland Mauney, and express sincere sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. John Leland Mauney and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.