House Resolution 62

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. ETHEL MINETT LASSITER, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on January 14, 2019, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Dr. Ethel Minett Lassiter, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, the City of Vicksburg lost a wonderful friend and community leader with the passing of Dr. Lassiter, who was born on February 13, 1947, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to the Reverend Wright Lowenstein Lassiter, Sr., and Mrs. Ethel Lee Franklin Lassiter, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, affectionately known as "Sis" by her family and friends, Dr. Lassiter received her early education at Bowman Elementary, McIntyre Junior High School and Rosa A. Temple High School, and after graduating high school in the top ten of her class in 1965, she enrolled at Alcorn State University, where she received her bachelor of science degree with a specialization in business education in 1969; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lassiter's pursuit for excellence in both her education and in her profession led her to a number of colleges and universities, and she received her master of science degree in education with a specialization in business education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and she continued her quest for knowledge by pursuing doctoral studies in higher education and supervision and was awarded her Ph.D. in 1989, from the University of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, after completing her outstanding educational career, Dr. Lassiter began teaching at Edison Community College, and after her time there, she accepted a position as instructor and coordinator of Business Studies at Craven Community College in New Bern, North Carolina, and upon her return to Mississippi in 1976, she served as registrar and instructor at the Mississippi Baptist Seminary, Assistant Professor of Business Education at Jackson State University and professor at Hinds Community College; and

WHEREAS, with an extraordinary love for Alcorn State University, Dr. Lassiter enjoyed her work at the Vicksburg Branch while serving as Lead Consultant of EML Educational Consulting, where she coordinated the Ministerial Advisory Council of Warren County, helped organize PRAXIS workshops and provided summer enrichment programs for many elementary-level students, and she served as adjunct professor in the Department of Education and Psychology at Alcorn State University for many years; and

WHEREAS, driven by a passion for working with young people and helping them discover their path in life, a mission she met with enthusiasm in all of her teaching and administrative positions, Dr. Lassiter was honored as teacher of the year and administrator of the year, and she was also a two-time fellow at the Harvard Principal's Institute in 2003 and 2013, and later in her illustrious career, she accepted a position as principal of Dana Road Elementary, where she retired in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lassiter continued to use her talents in many facets of her community and was an instrumental member of many religious, social and professional organizations, including the Mu Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Les Soeurs Charmantes Social and Civic Club, the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce and Toastmasters, International; and

WHEREAS, as a woman of uncompromised faith, Dr. Lassiter was a devout and passionate member of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, where she diligently served as a pianist and organist throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lassiter inspired everyone she encountered, greeting them with outstanding enthusiasm that could illuminate even the darkest day, and because it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," her family and friends can find peace and comfort during this difficult time as her greatest joy in life was her family, who will always remember her for her generous and unconditional love; and

WHEREAS, tremendously dedicated to her community, Dr. Lassiter devoted her life to serving others, and with her selfless spirit, she made Vicksburg and the State of Mississippi a better place to live; 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, the legacy of Dr. Lassiter's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: her loving daughter, Elyssa Morganette; sisters, Mary Montreal Hughes and Linda Lassiter Guidry; brothers, Dr. Wright Lassiter, Jr., Reverend Alfred Lassiter, Colonel Albert Lassiter, Dr. Franklin Lassiter and Dr. Ralph Lassiter; and a host of other relatives and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage Dr. Lassiter's 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 she 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 honor and commend the lives of outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Dr. Ethel Minett Lassiter, whose unparalleled service, dauntless fortitude and remarkable dedication to her family and her community brings honor to the State of Mississippi:

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 Dr. Ethel Minett Lassiter, whose courage, bravery and life light illuminated the path of hope for all she encountered along this earthly sojourn, and express sincere and deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Dr. Ethel Minett Lassiter and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.