House Resolution 55

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF VICKSBURG POLICE LIEUTENANT BEVERLY DAVIS PRENTISS, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of our dearly beloved, Beverly Davis Prentiss, to eternal rest, as she has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, born on August 23, 1955, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Ms. Hazel Caldwell and the late Mr. Ulious Davis, Lieutenant Prentiss moved, at the age of nine, to Oakland, California, to live with her father, whose strong work ethic and disposition, coupled with her kindhearted and giving nature, were the tools that molded her into a no-nonsense, driven and compassionate woman; and

WHEREAS, the City of Vicksburg and the entirety of Warren County, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend, people's servant, advocate, community leader and champion for justice on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, with the transformation from mortality to spiritual immortality of Lieutenant Prentiss, who was a beacon of light and source of inspiration; and

WHEREAS, from her humble beginnings, Beverly was the recipient of a stern advocacy for education, and upon concluding her public primary and secondary educational tenure, she pursued her collegiate matriculation at the University of California (Berkley); and

WHEREAS, after moving back to Mississippi to be near her mother, Lieutenant Prentiss commenced her distinguished career of public service with the Vicksburg Police Department in 1981, evidencing an overwhelming passion for helping citizens throughout the community, an innate character trait which advanced her rapport with peers; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Prentiss' finite attention to the detail of proper police protocol and procedure enabled her to quickly ascend the ranks over the course of her 37-year career with the Vicksburg Police Department, where she discovered her niche and nurtured a zealous advocacy for victims of domestic violence, which compelled her to be readily available to those with whom she developed lifelong friendships, both on and off duty; and

WHEREAS, having discovered the meaning of true love, Lieutenant Prentiss embarked upon the journey of romance with her life companion and soulmate, when she married the love of her life, Mr. Albert Prentiss, Jr., on December 3, 1987, with whom she raised her two daughters from a previous marriage, and a son that was born into their union, investing into each of her children the tenets of respect, perseverance, endurance and humility associated with success; and

WHEREAS, devout fulfillment of her marital vows, "to love, honor and cherish" her husband "in sickness and in health," Beverly surrendered her badge and retired from policing in 2016, to care for her ailing husband, and after God, in his infinite and divine wisdom summoned Mr. Prentiss from labor to reward, she returned to work on a part-time basis in 2018, working in court services until her untimely passing; and

WHEREAS, a patron heroine on the battlefront for justice and kingdom-building, Lieutenant Prentiss confessed a hope in Christ in 1985 and united in Christian fellowship with Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church, where she was actively engaged as a member of the choir; and

WHEREAS, as an impassioned songstress, Beverly, was a member of the R&B group, "Jade" for a number of years, as well as faithful in her memberships with the New Rock of Ages Church Choir, the Patricia Stamps Community Choir and the Zion Travelers Community Choir, of which she served as president, and which honored her commitment and service by renaming the choir as the "Beverly Prentiss Memorial Choir"; and

WHEREAS, from a disciplined and structured officer of the law to an inspirational psalmist, Lieutenant Prentiss' service was assembled into a beautiful mosaic of uncontrived humility that spoke voluminously of her innate ability to serve those who entrusted her with the confidences of their safety and their salvation; and

WHEREAS, during the course of her numerous years with the Vicksburg Police Department, Lieutenant Prentiss drew heavily upon her leadership skills and personal relationship with the community in which she lived and worked to ensure that her career would be characterized as one of venerable and selfless service; 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, including her father, Ulious Davis and beloved husband, Albert Prentiss, Jr., the legacy of Lieutenant Prentiss' memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: daughters, Catrina Early and Roneisha Euins; sons, Marquis D. Prentiss and Albert Prentiss III; mother, Hazel Caldwell; grandchildren, Deante' Early, Jaylen Early, Rianna Floyd, Ashley Euins, Albert Prentiss IV and Kennedy Prentiss; great-grandson, Deante' Early, Jr.; siblings, Diane Hardge, Mary Green Pankley, Getarn Green, Danny Green, Rochelle Spieler, Roslyn Gates, Michael Green, Ellis White, Aaron Green, Willie Brown, Veronica Lee and Ronald Caldwell; and a host of other relatives, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member, for the former things are passed away and renewed in their faith that Lieutenant Prentiss fulfilled the commandment by having fought a good fight, finishing her course and keeping the faith until the hour of her departure was at hand; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Prentiss, an individual of quiet dignity, was a solemn voice of reason, who epitomized the greatest lessons of strength, endurance and devotion to the calls of duty and unmitigated faith, even in the face of adversity, and it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the altruistic embodiment of a woman of distinction who possessed an ambitious spirit as she strove daily to be a woman after God's own heart whose service established the benchmark for the highest standard of excellence as a public servant:

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 and public service of Vicksburg Police Lieutenant Beverly Davis Prentiss, to whose family we express our sincere and deepest sympathy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Lieutenant Beverly Davis Prentiss and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.