Senate Concurrent Resolution 608

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF RESPECTED ATTORNEY AND CIVIC LEADER GENE A. WILKINSON OF MADISON, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Gene A. Wilkinson, 86, on February 13, 2018. Mr. Wilkinson, one of Mississippi's most Senior Attorneys in active practice, leaves a legacy of community service, devotion to the law, loyalty to friends and love of family; and

WHEREAS, Gene was the Chief Executive Officer of the Law Firm of Stennett, Wilkinson & Peden, where he managed the firm's business activities in addition to practicing law. His law practice was concentrated in the fields of corporate, administrative and insurance regulatory law, and he often provided counsel to business executives and state and local government officials. "Whether serving a client, the community or his friends and family, Gene was committed to never leaving a job unfinished," said James Peden, Gene's longtime friend and law partner; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilkinson was born January 20, 1932, in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, grew up on a farm in Copiah County and graduated from Crystal Springs High School in 1950. Gene then entered Millsaps College where he was News Editor of the Purple & White newspaper and graduated with a Political Science Degree in 1954. He earned a Juris Doctor Degree in 1957 from the Jackson School of Law (now the Mississippi College School of Law) and was admitted to The Mississippi Bar in 1958; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, he was active in civic, governmental and professional matters. He served as Public Relations Director of The Mississippi Bar, Editor of Mississippi Lawyer (the official publication of The Mississippi Bar), and Executive Legal Assistant to the Governor of Mississippi. He is a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation; and

WHEREAS, he served five terms as President of the Jackson Council on Alcoholism and 12 years as Chairman of the Governor's Prayer Breakfast. He also was Director of the Mississippi Children's Home Society, United Way, CONTACT, and several other civic organizations; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilkinson played key roles in government and Mississippi politics. He was State Manager for the 1966 Reelection Campaign of U.S. Senator Jim Eastland and remained a close confidant of the Senator until the Senator's death in 1983. From 1962 until 1987, a period of 25 years, he served as Chairman of the Jackson Civil Service Commission under four different Mayors. By appointment of Governors Bill Wailer and Bill Allain, Mr. Wilkinson served as Chairman of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission from 1974 until 1978 and 1986 until 1990; and

WHEREAS, he was both a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, and he served as the Chairman of the Board of a life insurance company. Mr. Wilkinson and wife Peggy were Communicants at St. Columb's Episcopal Church in Ridgeland. He served on the Vision and Planning Committee for the church and served a term as St. Columb's Chancellor; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his beloved wife of 64 years, Peggy Joyce Cooper Wilkinson, he is survived by his son, Alan (Mitzi) Wilkinson of Madison; grandson, Lake of Madison; granddaughters, Shelby Wallace Terrell (Austin) of Jackson, and Delaney Wallace, of Madison; and cousins, June Evans of Greenwood, Leslie Ann Sherrill of Coptell, Texas, and Patsy DiMuzio of Alexander, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.P. "Mac" and Johnnie McElroy, and his wife's parents, Captain and Mrs. I.W. Cooper; and

WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi who will be missed:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Legislature to the bereaved family of respected Attorney and Civic Leader Gene A. Wilkinson of Madison, Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Wilkinson's surviving family, forwarded to The Mississippi Bar, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.