Senate Resolution 1

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE GREETINGS OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO MRS. SALLIE MAE COOLEY OF JASPER COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF HER 109TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sallie Mae Cooley was born on December 8, 1908. She celebrated her 109th Birthday surrounded by family and friends on December 8, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Sallie Mae Cooley was born to the union of George and Nan McDonald in Clark County. She is loved by her nine siblings: Arthur, Eddie, Lee, Cleavend, Mattie McDonald, Annie Moses, Geneva Sanders, Verlee Dase, and Polly McDonald. At an early age, Sallie married her devoted husband, Willie Simmons, who preceded her in death. To this union eight children were born: Ezra Simmons (Rosella), Jessie McCarty (John), Adra Fortner (Kearney), Corine McGill (Tommie Lee), Bernice Jones (Cornelius), Winnie Perkins (Eddie), Kathalee Simmons, and Kathaleen Simmons. Later in life, she married Curtis Cooley who also preceded her in death; and

WHEREAS, at a young age Sallie was baptized at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She was educated at Rocky Hill in Clarke County. Mrs. Cooley has served, is still serving and will continue to be a servant of the Lord in many ways: Sallie serves as an Usher, Choir Member and Member of the Sunday School Class No. 7 for Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church; Baptist Training Union (BTU) Youth Teacher; Treasurer of the Sunday School Council; faithful Member of East Jasper Women Mission Institute; Treasurer of the Herione of Jericho Court 304; Member of the Jasper County Homemaker Club; feed, help and pray for the sick and shut-in; and Home Caretaker; and

WHEREAS, it is indeed an honor and pleasure to join her family to announce the many things Mrs. Cooley has done in her lifetime, but some of the most important jobs well done came in the form of personality, character, and spirit and the accolades go on and on that she has instilled in her family; and

WHEREAS, as family, friends, community and officials gather to recognize Mrs. Sallie Mae Cooley on her 109th Birthday, we salute a mother of eight children; grandmother of 19 children; great-grandmother of 36 children; great-great-grandmother of 58 children; and great-great-great-grandmother of 16 children as God continues to bless her with longevity and many more blessed and joyous days to come; and

WHEREAS, Sallie Mae was born when Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States of America and Edmond Noel was Governor of the State of Mississippi. Mrs. Cooley's life has spanned the administrations of 19 United States Presidents and 27 Mississippi Governors from Edmond Noel to Phil Bryant. This family icon has witnessed many historic events during her lifetime, including the invention of the automobile by Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers' first airplane flight, and man's walk on the moon:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the greetings of the Mississippi Senate to Mrs. Sallie Mae Cooley of Jasper County, Mississippi, on the occasion of her 109th Birthday Celebration, and our best wishes on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mrs. Cooley and her family and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.