House Resolution 81

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MRS. SHIRLEY GRAY OWENS AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Shirley Gray Owens, to rest eternally, on Monday, March 12, 2018, 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 Moss Point Community of Jackson County lost a wonderful friend and decorated educator with the passing of Mrs. Owens, born in Hattiesburg to the late Isaac H. Gray, Sr., and Dorothy Gray on August 2, 1946, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Owens, a 1964 graduate of Rowan High School, was encouraged to expand her religious experience by taking the walk of faith and providently confessed her hope in Christ as an impressionable and spiritually convicted youth under the auspices of the Mount Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend E.L. Jones, where she remained a faithfully dedicated member until uniting in fellowship with Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church upon relocating to Moss Point, under the ecclesiastical guidance of Reverend Jessie James; and

WHEREAS, cognizant of the words recorded in II Thessalonians 3:10, "that if any would not work, neither should he eat," after completing her collegiate matriculation at Jackson State University in 1968, where she attained her baccalaureate degree in speech and drama with a minor emphasis in English, Mrs. Owens became an esteemed educator and mentor of the Moss Point School District and devoted 37 years to students at Magnolia High School and Moss Point High School, garnering a reputation as an artistically talented playwright and drama instructor; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to being built in accordance with the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the Great Deity and grand architect of our lives' destiny, Shirley's heart was pierced by the love, chivalry and affection of Mr. Lee Preston Owens, 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 with the addition of two children, with whom they shared the abundant blessings of love, honor and humility; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles she assumed, a devoted wife and nurturing, protective and caring mother next, Mrs. Owens was the epitome of a woman of Proverbs 31:10 virtue who possessed an ambitious spirit akin to that of King David, as she was a woman who sought the very heart of God and demonstrated great faith and commitment to Jesus Christ through diligent service that confirms the recording of Romans 14:8, "If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord"; 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, including her beloved husband, Mr. Lee Preston Owens, her parents, and three siblings, Helen Jones, Isaac Jr. and Willie Gray, Sr., the legacy of Mrs. Owens' indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: children, DeMiracle (Carlos) Woodson and Darvin Owens, Sr.; siblings, James, Henry, Alvin and Alice Gray; grandchildren, Cameron and Devin Woodson and Darvin Owens, Jr.; 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 and be renewed in their faith that Mrs. Owens fulfilled the purpose of her appointed time in adherence to 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 commend the life of a genuine and selfless individual such as Mrs. Owens, whose light illuminated the path of hope for all she encountered along this earthly sojourn:

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. Shirley Gray Owens, and express sincere and deepest sympathy upon her passing.

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