House Concurrent Resolution 129

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF MR. EDGAR LEE "E.L." BOTELER, JR., AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mr. Edgar Lee "E.L." Boteler, Jr., of Leland, Mississippi, left our mortal world on March 17, 2016, called by his creator to rejoin him in the infinite splendor of eternity; and

WHEREAS, though words both spoken and written fail to define the measure of a man like Mr. Boteler, the lasting memory and indelible legacy of a father, husband, politician, and leader, lives unremitting in the hearts of those who knew and loved him; and

WHEREAS, born on February 4, 1920, in Grenada, Mississippi, to parents Edgar Lee and Irma Lucanda Boteler, Mr. Boteler was raised in love, and developed an incomparable skill as a farmer, woodworker and gardener, sharing his many gifts with friends and family members throughout his exceptional life; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Boteler found himself enchanted by the grace and beauty of Ms. Gene Marders, whom he married, and the couple welcomed seven children to their loving union before it was orchestrated by God to summon the mortal presence of Mrs. Gene Boteler to her eternal home by the creator in 1983; and

WHEREAS, though grief weighed heavy, Mr. Boteler continued his life of hard work and service to others, in 1988 his once broken heart was restored to completion when he found love again, enraptured with the beauty and spirit of Ms. Mary Stovall Shaifer, he would honor her affection by making her his betrothed wife, and they moved to Leland, Mississippi, where they filled each other's days with immeasurable joy and happiness for the duration of his earthly sojourn; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Boteler and his loving wife, Mrs. Mary Boteler spent many happy seasons caring for the house they designed, planting and caring for their garden, which became a botanical oasis for hosting many beautiful and joyous weddings in its confines; and

WHEREAS, the result of great care and attention, the Boteler's garden welcomed many guests, and was featured in Southern Living magazine and named to the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens because of its incommunicable allure and elegance; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his friends and family, Mr. Boteler also shared his many talents with the State of Mississippi by answering the call to public service as a people's champion, serving in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1956-1972 and serving as the Director of the Mississippi State Highway Department, before his retirement; and

WHEREAS, a man of prodigious faith, Mr. Boteler was a faithful member of his church and served as a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in addition to teaching Sunday School classes, participating in Youth Work and serving on local church and Presbytery committees; and

WHEREAS, though Mr. Boteler has now transcended our physical world, his memory still brings warmth to the hearts of those who knew and loved him, his wife, Mrs. Mary Boteler; his children, Lee Boteler, Bob Boteler, Becky Dalton, Lovejoy Boteler, Mary Gene Boteler, Jane Pereschuk, Julie Potter, Laura Bell, Jodie Huddleston and Sanfrid Shaifer; 22 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, all of whom live with the lasting memory of their father, their husband, their grandfather, and their great-grandfather, whose love for them knew no bounds; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the lives of outstanding Mississippians like Mr. Boteler, whose life brought incalculable joy and happiness to those blessed to know him, additionally his many contributions to our world have brought great pride and joy to his community and to the State of Mississippi:

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 Mr. Edgar Lee "E.L." Boteler, Jr., and extend deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Edgar Lee Boteler, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.