Senate Concurrent Resolution 592

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF RENOWN MISSISSIPPI DELTA MEDICAL LEADER DR. WALTER (WALT) CORNELIUS GOUGH, JR., AND EXTENDING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS BEREAVED FAMILY.

WHEREAS, high on the list of godly heroes is the name Walter Cornelius Gough, Jr., M.D., (referred to as Walt by his beloved wife and Dr. Gough by those he served as their primary care physician). Dr. Gough was born April 24, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to his loving parents Mr. and Mrs. Walter (Kathryn) Cornelius Gough, Sr. Dr. Gough was preceded in death by his father, Walter Cornelius Gough, Sr.; mother, Kathryn Scott Grinnage-Gough; granddaughter, McKenzie Gibson; and first wife, Dr. Joy L. Wigfall-Gough; and

WHEREAS, just as successful in his academic career as he was professionally, Dr. Gough graduated from West Allegheny High School in Imperial, Pennsylvania, and later obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, Chemistry and Math from Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri, in 1965. Graduating with honors, Dr. Gough obtained his Doctorate in Medicine from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine in 1970. In 1971, Dr. Gough completed his internship in Major Surgery at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and went on to complete his residency again at Mercy Hospital in Pennsylvania in Anesthesiology in addition to Hubbard Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, specializing in Pediatrics. Along with successfully completing his residencies, Dr. Gough was also board-certified in the areas of Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gough met and married his loving wife, May E. Bailey, September 24, 1974, and together they cherished 42 years of marriage, 43 years of devoted friendship and reared six talented children. Though never boastful, Dr. and Mrs. Gough proudly beamed that all of their children are productive citizens in the community in which they serve. In no specific birth order, we have Dr. Nora Gough-Davis (Family Nurse Practitioner), following in her father's footsteps in the field of medicine, as well as being her father's mentee until his passing. Also cherished by their mother and father are Marcus Washington (retiree), 28 years United States Army, Special Forces; Henry A. Bailey (retiree), 20 years United States Army and is currently serving his community as a law enforcement officer; Kathryn Gough-Jones (Master Educator); Lynette K. Gough (Effective Educator in Higher Education); and Wanda V. Washington, (Educational Administrator of Gifted and Talented Education); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gough dedicated his medical career of more than 46 years serving underserved communities across the Mississippi Delta, Nashville, Tennessee, rural Alabama, and West Helena, Arkansas. His work affiliations include: the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Philadelphia, Mississippi; the Taborian Hospital and Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou, Mississippi; Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville, Mississippi; and North Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville, Mississippi. Dr. Gough also provided emergency room medical care from 1972-1998 in Arkansas and Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his diverse experiences gained while serving throughout the Delta region, Dr. Gough also served as the Medical Director of the Medical Records Department at Northern Sunflower Hospital (now known as North Sunflower Medical Center), and to keep the doors from closing by securing the medical and financial status of the Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, Dr. Gough has served as the Medical Director on numerous occasions. Dearly loved by his patients and their families, Dr. Gough selflessly served and provided quality medical services to the Community of North Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1984 until his passing on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, Dr. Gough (with the assistance of his nurse, Joann Pannel, LPN) opened Gough Family & Pediatrics Clinic in Drew, Mississippi, with his wife (May), joining the family practice in 1992; and

WHEREAS, due to his profound positive impact that he demonstrated through the community and state, Dr. Gough served in numerous leadership positions and on medical boards. Not only was he a prominent medical provider, but also a mentor, community leader, and a man of integrity with a great sense of direction and accountability. Selflessly, Dr. Gough stood firm on key medical, social, and economic issues regarding the greater good of others. Though soft-spoken, Dr. Gough was recognized for speaking up for those unable to speak for themselves, especially those disenfranchised and economically challenged in the Mississippi Delta; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, Dr. Gough served as Vice President of the Mississippi Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians (A.C.E.P.) and in 1999 became the first person of color to serve as the President. He also served as the A.C.E.P. Secretary from 1995-1999. In 1989, Dr. Gough was elected to the Board of Trustees of Christian Medical Society. He served as Vice President of the Omega Man of the Year Committee from 1986-1996. He was appointed by Governor Ronnie Musgrove to serve on the State Board of Health from 2000-2006. In 2012, Dr. Gough was chosen as the Grand Marshal of the Cleveland Area Dr. Martin Luther King's Day Parade. Until his passing, Dr. Gough practiced faith sincerely and faithfully as a member and Deacon of Jerusalem M.B. Church in Mound Bayou, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, those left to cherish Dr. Gough's fondest memories: his loving wife, May E. Bailey-Gough; six children: Wanda V. Washington, Reno, Nevada; Marcus (LaForrest) Washington, Fayetteville, North Carolina; Henry (Jocelynn) Bailey, Garland, Texas; Lynette Gough, Huntsville, Alabama; Kathryn (David) Gough-Jones, Jackson, Mississippi; and Nora (Anthony, Sr.) Gough-Davis; 13 grandchildren: Victoria Gough, Adrienne Wilson, LaMarra Washington, Anniyah Randall, Amayah Bailey, Aaliyah Bailey, Christian Peeples, Christianna Peeples, Maria Aisha Muhammad, Dawud Muhammad, Salimah Rachel Muhammad, Anthony Lezell Davis, Jr., and Anna Marie Davis; two great-grandchildren, Trinity Imani Wilson and Serenity Imara Wilson; mother-in-law, Beneva Jones Bailey-Conway; Godson, Robert Brenson; devoted Nurse and friend, Joann Pannel; and numerous other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, an advocate for the less fortunate among us, Dr. Gough was an example to others of how to live your convictions with courage, and he will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known his special wisdom and compassion:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the passing of renown Mississippi Delta Medical Leader Dr. Walter (Walt) Cornelius Gough, Jr., and extend our deepest sympathy to his bereaved family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Gough and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.