House Resolution 49

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND ENDEARING LEGACY OF MRS. ELOUISE H. "COOKIE" JOHNSON, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on Monday, February 13, 2017, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Elouise H. "Cookie" Johnson, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was born on January 21, 1951, to Mr. Samuel and Weltha Mae West-Harmon in Union, Mississippi, the fourth of nine children to her parents' marital union and graduated from C.H. Boler High School in Decatur, Mississippi, where she amassed multiple basketball records, which culminated in her No. 21 jersey being retired, before matriculating at Jackson State University to earn a bachelor's degree in physical education; and

WHEREAS, affectionately known by most as "Cookie," it was during her collegiate years at Jackson State, that her beauty, style and grace caught the eye of Dwight Johnson, Sr., who wooed her with his chivalrous affection to make her his future wife, to whose union were born two children, Dwight Jr., and Weltha; and

WHEREAS, a diligent servant in the army of Jesus Christ, Mrs. Johnson gave her hand to the preacher and her heart to God at an early age at Rosehill Missionary Baptist Church, and continued showing the compassion of a servant's heart throughout her adulthood as a dedicated member of New Galilean Missionary Baptist Church, where she encouraged the souls around her with her loving words, brilliant smile and gentle spirit; and

WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, Mrs. Johnson was a diligent employee with Delphi Packard Corp., having commenced her career with the company when it opened its doors in Clinton, Mississippi, in the early 1970s, and remaining until her retirement shortly before the company began the process of ceasing its Clinton-facility operations in 2006, before finally halting production in 2009; and

WHEREAS, it was during this time at Delphi Packard Corp., that Mrs. Johnson forged a long-lasting friendship with Deborah Dixon, to whom she also lived in close proximity, which sealed their bond as neighbors, confidants and strong shoulders of support, even as she championed the cause on the campaign trail for Representative Dixon's successful bid to the Mississippi Legislature, as the peoples' voice for House District 63; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnson was a real treasure to everyone who knew her, as she became an essential asset as a substitute teacher for the Jackson Public School District after her retirement from Delphi, where she derived pure joy from spending time with the children in each of the classrooms she graced with her presence, with whom a special affinity was birthed from her nurturing and mentoring the countless children she proclaimed as her "Mama's Babies"; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles she assumed, a devoted wife and nurturing mother next, Mrs. Johnson 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, taking great pride in her children and grandchildren who were always in the topic of conversation and the central figures for her unfailing love, and offering a warm heart, supportive shoulder and listening ear without judgment or condemnation to those who sought solace in her wise counsel, 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, in Mrs. Johnson'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 21:1-2, "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

WHEREAS, the memory of Mrs. Elouise H. Johnson, an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and minds of her beloved survivors: children, Dwight (Comonique) and Weltha (Ashley); four grandchildren, Christiane, Tia, Dwight III and Ethan; five siblings, Carolyn, Larry, Quay, Jackie and Chad; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "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 renewed in their faith that Mrs. Johnson fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7 by having fought a good fight, finishing her course and keeping the faith until the hour of her departure was at hand; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Elouise H. Johnson, a gracious woman who always put others before herself, loved her family and friends unconditionally, and cultivated enormous amounts of happiness, inspiration and goodwill into the soul of each individual who crossed her remarkable path, bringing glory and honor to the kingdom of God:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Elouise H. "Cookie" Johnson and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

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