House Resolution 107

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND CHRISTIAN SERVICE OF MRS. MATTIE HALES TAYLOR AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER 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, Mrs. Mattie Hales Taylor, 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 City of Heidelberg and the entire population of Jasper, Jones and Clark Counties lost a wonderful friend, icon and humanitarian with the passing of Mrs. Taylor, the matriarch of her family and a selfless imparter of life and light, who was born on February 25, 1925, to her beloved and late parents, Reverend Ben and Mrs. Estella Hales; and

WHEREAS, from humble beginnings, she and her siblings were recipients of a stern advocacy for education imparted by their parents, whose wise counsel encouraged them to expand their religious experience by taking the walk of faith and to providently confess their hope in Christ as impressionable and spiritually convicted youth under the auspices of their father's biblical teachings; and

WHEREAS, a life member of Beaver Meadow Missionary Baptist Church, Mrs. Taylor was baptized at the age of seven and was enlightened in the basic educational rudiments and the ethical values encompassed in the importance of work, family, community and the love of God, first in her home and then at New Prospect and Mt. Olive High School before advancing her matriculation with postsecondary degrees from Meridian Junior College, Jackson State University and Urban Bible College where she respectively earned her associate of arts degree, both her bachelor of science and master of science degrees and her doctorate; and

WHEREAS, one who relied heavily on her faith, Mrs. Taylor's kingdom-building commitment remained consistent throughout her Christian service and patronage in life, reflecting her passion for God through her commitment to assisting others and her Christ-like care and concern for the body of Christ in her role as Dean of Christian Education in Nashville, Tennessee, an allegiance to which she continued to expound upon and manifest through rigorous studies at Jernigan Theological Studies, Advanced Leadership Development and her involvement with the National Congress of Christian Education; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to the building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the god-head of the Great Deity, Mrs. Taylor's heart was pierced by the love, chivalry and affection of Deacon Roy Taylor, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony, building a lifetime of memories over the course of 39 years that would be blessed with the fruitful addition of six children and sharing in life's momentous occasions until it was orchestrated by God in divine providence to summon the life of Mr. Taylor to eternal paradise; and

WHEREAS, a god-fearing Christian before all other roles she assumed, a devoted wife and nurturing mother and grandmother next, Mrs. Taylor was the living embodiment of a woman of Proverbs 31:10 distinction and possessed the ambitious spirit akin to that of King David, to be a woman after God's own heart, instilling those same values into the lineal fabric of her own children as well as the countless lives of children into whom she poured her infinite wisdom as an educator and foster parent for more than 30 years, in a manner reminiscent to that of Mary of Bethany, whose humility and gratitude were signified through the washing and anointing of Jesus' feet; and

WHEREAS, a lifetime member of the Humanism/Humanities, a member of the National Education Association and public notary, this 1998 Jones County "Unsung Heroes" recipient has traveled extensively domestically and abroad to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Egypt as an exemplary bastion of Christian compassion, a selfless humanitarian and invaluable educator, as indicated by her having been selected as 1994 Mother of the Year, 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, 1990-1991 East Jasper Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Educator in Jasper County; and

WHEREAS, in Mrs. Taylor's transfiguration from mortality to immortality, she now adorns the raiment of a spiritual bride, awaiting the bridegroom's return in holy anticipation of that wondrous event, as it is written in the book of Revelation 21:1-7 "And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Taylor's earthly departure can be summarized in the joyful lyrics to Janie West Metzgar's "Where the Roses Never Fade":"I am going to a city, where the streets with gold are laid; Where the tree of life is blooming and the roses never fade.

Here they bloom but for a season, soon their beauty is decayed. I am going to a city, where the roses never fade. Loved ones gone to be with Jesus, in their robes of white arrayed; Now are waiting for my coming, where the roses never fade.
Here they bloom but for a season, soon their beauty is decayed. I am going to a city, where the roses never fade"; 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. Taylor'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, including children: Brenda, David, Roy, Chris, Wanda and Detrick; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to take momentary pause to respectfully acknowledge the ember of light that was Mrs. Taylor's life, which illuminated the paths of every individual encountered along her earthly travailing and sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Mattie Hales Taylor, whose life was a fragrant rose adorning the Heavenly Father's botanical garden of this earth's mortal dressing room, permeating the atmosphere with her beauty and aroma, and to whose family we express our sincere and deepest sympathy upon her passing.

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