Senate Resolution 7

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THOMAS C. TOLLIVER, JR., OF WILKINSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THE LONGEST-TENURED-SERVING CHANCERY CLERK IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of the longest-serving Chancery Clerk in the State of Mississippi, Thomas C. Tolliver, Jr., of Wilkinson County, on August 21, 2018, at the age of 67; and

WHEREAS, his concurrent tenure, the Mississippi Association of Chancery Clerks confirmed, made him the state's Senior Chancery Clerk, which is the title bestowed upon the longest-tenured still-serving Chancery Clerk in the State of Mississippi at the time of his death; and

WHEREAS, "He was a great person," said Mattie L. Powell, Deputy Chancery Clerk of Wilkinson County, who worked with Tolliver for the past 12 years. "He always wanted to be a part of anything to help the community, and to that end Tolliver donated to community events, fundraisers and schools"; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Tolliver, Jr., was born in the Lesley Community of Wilkinson County on October 16, 1950. Tolliver earned a Biology Degree from Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, in addition to being Wilkinson County's Chancery Clerk, Tolliver was also the county's Emergency Management Director, a 33rd Degree Mason, and was the Mississippi Association of Chancery Clerk's Sergeant-at-Arms; and

WHEREAS, Thomas started several softball organizations and in 1980 founded the Chatwell Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization to give back to the community, including funding students and education, helping food bank ministries, and donating to organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Red Cross; and

WHEREAS, "He was a wonderful man," Myrtis Tolliver said, "well-loved by the community and always willing to help and do anything he could for his community and his fellowman"; and

WHEREAS, Thomas is survived by his wife, Myrtis Tolliver; two children, Meagen Patrease Tolliver and Antonie Mitchel-Tolliver; and three grandchildren: DeMarien Tolliver-Dixon, Malik Tolliver-Dixon and Malin Tolliver-Dixon. He was preceded in death by daughter, Tommie Carol Tolliver; and

WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited and talented citizen of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and public service of Thomas C. Tolliver, Jr., of Wilkinson County, the longest-tenured-serving Chancery Clerk in the State of Mississippi at the time of his death.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Thomas C. Tolliver, Jr., forwarded to the Mississippi Association of Chancery Clerks, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.