Senate Concurrent Resolution 659

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF FORMER REPRESENTATIVE AND DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EDGAR LEE (E.L.) BOTELER, JR., OF LELAND, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of a most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Edgar Lee (E.L.) Boteler, Jr., passed away in Leland, Mississippi, March 17, 2016. He was born on February 4, 1920, in Grenada, Mississippi, to Edgar Lee and Irma Lucanda James Boteler. He was married to Gene Marders Boteler until her death in 1983. They had seven children and lived at Riverdale Farm, the family farm. In 1988 he married Mary Stovall Shaifer and moved to Leland, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, E.L. was an accomplished farmer, woodworker and gardener. He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1956 to 1972 and later became the Director of the Mississippi State Highway Department; and

WHEREAS, in retirement he enjoyed creating beautiful furniture for family and others. He and his wife Mary designed and cared for a home garden that served as the setting for many weddings and other social events. They welcomed many visitors and enjoyed sharing it with others. Their garden was featured in Southern Living Magazine and named to the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens; and

WHEREAS, he served as a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and for many years taught Sunday School, was active in Youth work and served on local church and Presbytery committees; and

WHEREAS, E.L. is survived by his wife, Mary Boteler; ten children: Lee Boteler (Kay), Bob Boteler (Hilda), Becky Dalton, Lovejoy Boteler (Jill), Mary Gene Boteler (Rick Nutt), Jane Pereschuk (Gary), Julie Potter (Chuck), Laura Bell (Leslie), Jodie Huddleston (Hartwell), and Sanfrid Shaifer (Stefanie); 22 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi whose enormous civic energy serves as an example to all in our state:

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 former Representative and Director of the Mississippi State Highway Department Edgar Lee (E.L.) Boteler, Jr., of Leland, Mississippi, and extend the condolences of the Legislature to his surviving family.

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