House Concurrent Resolution 9

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MRS. MARY MARTIN CHILDS OF THE PEOPLES BANK OF RIPLEY UPON BEING NAMED THE 130TH CHAIRMAN OF THE MISSISSIPPI BANKERS ASSOCIATION AND THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE IN THE ROLE.

WHEREAS, Mary Martin Childs of The Peoples Bank of Ripley becomes the 130th Chairman of the Mississippi Bankers Association and the first woman to serve that position, a true testament to the unparalleled legacy she has created for herself in the banking industry in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Walnut High School, Mrs. Childs comes from a banking family, as her father is Chairman of the Board of The Peoples Bank of Ripley, her son is a senior officer and board member, and she is vice chairman of the board, CEO and president of The Peoples Bank of Ripley; and

WHEREAS, Mary learned early in life, after visiting her dad at the bank, that a career in banking could be very rewarding, as it would allow her to help people make their dreams come true and improve the quality of life in the community, so she studied banking and finance at Mississippi State University, earning her bachelor's degree in just three years; and

WHEREAS, after her graduation, Mary took a different route than most people in her shoes and earned her way into the management training program of the Bank of Mississippi (now BancorpSouth), where she was initially assigned to Tupelo and then transferred to Corinth; and

WHEREAS, a decade into her career, Mrs. O.C. Thomas, head of operations at The Peoples Bank of Ripley, announced her intent to retire and insisted that Mary be hired, so Mary returned to her hometown bank on April 10, 1990, as assistant cashier and began to train under Mrs. Thomas until her retirement; and

WHEREAS, equipped with an excellent skill set and tireless work ethic, Mary was promoted to cashier after 11 years at The Peoples Bank of Ripley, and the new title brought new responsibilities, including that of vice chairman and chief operations officer, and in 2012, she was elevated to her current position of president and chief executive officer; and

WHEREAS, Mary is a hands-on, customer-centric banker who is truly a person in and of the communities and customers she serves, and she considers her ability to work with her son and father "a special blessing and privilege"; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her role as a banker, Mary is chairman of the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi and serves on the board of various organizations, including the CREATE Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of North Mississippi, the Mississippi State University College of Business Executive Advisory Board, and the Northeast Mississippi Community College Foundation Board; and

WHEREAS, throughout her career, Mary has received unwavering support from her husband, Cary Childs, her son, Bob Glover, and now her wonderful grandchildren, Snow, Graham and Pierce; and

WHEREAS, in her spare time, Mary enjoys spending it with her family, especially her grandchildren, proudly supporting her Mississippi State Bulldogs through her attendance at numerous sporting events featuring the dogs, traveling with her husband, especially to Alaska and Yellowstone, and serving as the church clerk and member of the Budget and Finance Committee at First Baptist Church in Ripley; and

WHEREAS, Mary will undoubtedly utilize her expertise and passion for the job to serve the people of Mississippi well in her new role as Chairman of the Mississippi Bankers Association, becoming the first woman to be elected to that position, and she looks forward to providing the Mississippi Bankers Association with the products and services it needs to make the banking industry in Mississippi strong and successful; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the fine citizens of this great Magnolia State, especially those such as Mrs. Mary Martin Childs, whose dedication to her job and the people of her community has propelled her to various levels of achievement in Mississippi's banking industry, as she now becomes the first female Chairman of the Mississippi Bankers Association:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mrs. Mary Martin Childs of The Peoples Bank of Ripley upon being named the 130th Chairman of the Mississippi Bankers Association and the first woman to serve in the role and extend sincere wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Mary Martin Childs, the Mississippi Bankers Association and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.