House Concurrent Resolution 33

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. RUBY KATE WOOLRIDGE BOWLES.

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 Wednesday, January 20, 2021, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Ruby Kate Woolridge Bowles, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Houston, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend, loving wife and mother and dedicated community leader with the passing of Mrs. Bowles, who was born on May 1, 1932, in Houston to the late Lee Allen Woolridge and Mildred McLaughlin Woolridge, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, Ruby Kate Woolridge Bowles was a woman of uncompromised faith and a member of First United Methodist Church in Houston, and she now enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and

WHEREAS, a truly exquisite woman, Mrs. Bowles graduated from Okolona High School in 1949, and she worked at Delta Trouser Company in Okolona for 15 years and Air Cap in Verona for five years before she left to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and, with her husband, opened Bowles Grocery Store in the Thorn community, which they owned and operated for 34 years; and

WHEREAS, a social butterfly who loved mowing her yard and waving at friends and neighbors who passed by, Mrs. Ruby Kate Woolridge Bowles was a strong, loving and compassionate mother, grandmother, confidante and friend who touched the lives of all those who crossed her sweet and charming path, and her warm hugs, positive energy, contagious laughter and bright smile will be forever cherished by her family, friends and others who knew her and experienced her greatness; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Mrs. Bowles, a woman held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of her beloved survivors: sons, Steve (Jane) Pearson and Mike (Deedie) Pearson; sisters-in-law, Anne Harrington and Nancy Bowles; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Lynn) Pearson and Harry (Martha) Bowles; grandchildren, Jay (Candi) Pearson, Jenna Leigh (Brian) Aldridge, Lauren (Heath) Soden, Merry Claire (Ben) Gregory, Patrick Pearson and Will Pearson; great-grandchildren, Ella Cate, Jackson, Hudson, Embry, Eli, Graham, Walt and Landri Kate; and a host of other relatives 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 in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and renewed in their faith that Mrs. Ruby Kate Woolridge Bowles fulfilled 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 this Legislature to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Ruby Kate Woolridge Bowles, a gracious woman who loved her family and friends unconditionally and worshipped the Lord God Almighty with all of her heart and soul, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Ruby Kate Woolridge Bowles, and express 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 Mrs. Ruby Kate Woolridge Bowles and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.