Senate Resolution 37

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS OF THE REVEREND DR. CHARLES E. POLK, SR., LONGTIME PASTOR OF ST. LUTHER MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, PAYING TRIBUTE TO HIS SPIRITUAL AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP IN THE JACKSON COMMUNITY, AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we join the family, the membership of St. Luther Missionary Baptist Church and the citizens of Jackson, Mississippi, in mourning the loss of Reverend Charles E. Polk, Sr., who passed away on May 24, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Charles E. Polk was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and was the second oldest of five brothers and one sister. Reverend Polk was happily married to Mrs. Eddie M. Spann Polk, and they were the parents of two sons, Charles Polk, Jr., of Buffalo, New York, and Roy Harold Polk of Madison, Mississippi; and six grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Polk served as Pastor of the St. Luther Missionary Baptist Church located at 1040 Banks Street, Jackson, Mississippi, for 41 years and gave God all the praise and glory for giving him a faith that remained strong throughout the years. The church grew tremendously under his dedicated and committed leadership and he was involved in the following outreach ministries: Prison Ministry, Community Ministry, Children's Monday Night Ministry, Clothing Ministry, Training Union Ministry, Senior Citizens Ministry, Men-On-A-Mission Ministry, Partnership Ministry with Calvary Baptist Church and the Bible Class Ministry. Reverend Polk received numerous awards, as a result of his powerful style of preaching, which earned him the nickname "The Son of Thunder"; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Polk was a former member of the Jackson Southernairs; he recorded many songs with them and traveled all over the country singing until God called him to the ministry. Reverend Polk's community and civic affiliations included S.C.L.C., NAACP, Ministers Union, Mississippi Baptist Convention, National Baptist Convention USA, Board Member of Central Mississippi Health Services, Inc., Board Member of the Mississippi Mass Choir, and Financial Secretary of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Polk was an advocate for, and sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate, the elderly and the youth, and each year volunteered his time and effort to the WKXI senior citizens' food giveaway for Christmas. He gave unselfishly of his time, talents and efforts for the improvement of mankind. His integrity and sincerity earned him the respect and admiration of people in all walks of life; and

WHEREAS, in December 2019, a street in downtown Jackson was renamed Reverend Charles E. Polk Sr. Drive, in his honor. An advocate for the less fortunate among us, Reverend Polk was an example to others of how to live your convictions with courage, and he will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known his special wisdom and leadership:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss of Reverend Dr. Charles E. Polk, Sr., longtime Pastor of St. Luther Missionary Baptist Church, pay tribute to his spiritual and civic leadership in the Jackson Community, and extend the condolences of the Mississippi Senate to his surviving family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Reverend Polk, forwarded to the congregation of St. Luther Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.