House Resolution 63

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. WYATT WASHINGTON, JR., AND RECOGNIZING HIS POSTHUMOUS 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, born on February 9, 1918, Mr. Wyatt Washington, Jr., would have celebrated his 100th birthday on February 9, 2018, but for his passing on June 8, 1997, and his family recently met for a reunion to share their memories and celebrate his life; and

WHEREAS, born in Pocahontas, Mississippi, to Mr. Wyatt Washington, Sr., and Mrs. Lucy Lee Washington, Mr. Washington moved with his family to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1927 and graduated from Lanier High School in 1936, and in 1938, he married his childhood sweetheart, Ms. Mildred Guice; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Washington were blessed with eight children, and their bond was so tremendously strong that after Mr. Washington's passing, Mrs. Washington joined him in Heaven just two weeks later, being just two months shy of 59 years of marriage; and

WHEREAS, honorably discharged on December 22, 1945, Mr. Washington was a World War II veteran, and during his service in the United States Army, he was a certified crane operator and light duty truck driver, and in his civilian life, he was a carpenter by trade, and in 1942, he built the family home which still stands to this day, and he also worked for Ferguson Furniture Company and Banner Bedding Company for over 40 years, and in his later years he retired into his own bedding business named The Mattress House; and

WHEREAS, tremendously dedicated to his community and a

70-year resident of the Virden Addition neighborhood, Mr. Washington was a community organizer that promoted African American voter registration, and his family still possesses voter poll tax receipts that were used during the time when African Americans were forced to pay $2.00 before they could vote; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his voting activism, Mr. Washington was a member of the Hiram Grand Lodge Masons, and he was also a devoted member of Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, with his name reflected on the cornerstone, and he served in various positions in his church, such as a Deacon for over 40 years, Deacon Board Secretary, Sunday School teacher and superintendent and a member of the Transportation Committee; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life and reunited with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and welcomed his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mr. Washington will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors, including his children: Walter Lee, Norma Jean, Grace LaVivian, Gloria Lemore, Alvin Douglas, Wyatt Leon, William Talmadge and Carmen Lynole; his sister, Lyneal Robinson; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, affectionately known as "Sonny," Mr. Washington was a dedicated husband, father, neighbor, businessman and friend to each person he encountered, and he leaves a rich legacy of true Christian discipleship to all those who knew and loved him; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the lives of outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Wyatt Washington, Jr., whose dedication to his family and friends and whose service to others brings honor to his family, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mr. Wyatt Washington, Jr., and recognize his posthumous 100th birthday, and express deepest sympathies to his family and friends for their tremendous loss.

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