House Concurrent Resolution 47

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RETIRED BRIGADIER GENERAL MARTHA JO LESLIE.

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 19, 2022, the grand architect of the universe summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Retired Brigadier General Martha Jo Leslie, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the Mississippi Army National Guard lost a wonderful friend, revered medical professional and community treasure with the passing of General Leslie, who was born to Mose and Bessie Leslie on May 9, 1930, in Sallis, Mississippi, 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, a graduate of Thomastown High School, General Leslie fulfilled a childhood dream when she graduated from the Mississippi Baptist School of Nursing in 1951, and her employment as a registered nurse at the Baptist Hospital Emergency Room began a nursing career that would span 40 years; and

WHEREAS, during her illustrious and selfless career as a nurse, General Leslie held numerous positions, including office nurse, surgical nurse, instructor, standards writer for nursing positions, nursing home consultant and the quality assurance nurse for Beverly Enterprises at the time of her retirement, and additionally, she was a Red Cross volunteer disaster nurse for many years and received the prestigious Lola Byrd Award for her years of volunteer work during disasters; and

WHEREAS, General Leslie's extensive and accomplished military career began in 1959 as a First Lieutenant with the 134th EVAC Hospital, and ended in 1992 when she retired as a Brigadier General, and at one point during her tenure, she was the only female in the Mississippi Army National Guard and recalled marching in a Camp Shelby parade of 10,000 soldiers, 9,999 of whom, she claimed, were out of step; and

WHEREAS, General Leslie and her team taught the first 91B school at Camp Shelby, training soldiers to become medics, and not only was she the first female nurse in the United States to be promoted to colonel in the National Guard, but at the time of her retirement, she was also Chief Nurse of HHD, 213th Medical Group; and

WHEREAS, during her career, General Leslie was activated twice for federal service, and while she received numerous awards, some of the most prestigious decorations and military awards a fearless soldier can receive, the award she cherished the most was the Mississippi Magnolia Medal for her team leadership in caring for thousands of evacuees at Camp Shelby following Hurricane Camille; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the National Guard and the medical profession, General Leslie was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Veterans Affairs Board, making her the first female to be appointed to that board, and she served for 15 years, 12 of which as the chairperson, and under her leadership, the first Mississippi State Veterans Memorial Cemetery was approved and constructed in Newton County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Veterans Affairs Board and the Mississippi Legislature honored her for her role in improving the operations of state veterans affairs homes by designating the veterans affairs home located in Kosciusko, Mississippi, as the "Martha Jo Leslie State Veterans Home", and at the age of 90, dressed in red, white and blue, wearing a red baseball cap and walking with a cane, she trudged through the cemetery of her home church in Leake County, Mississippi, laying Christmas wreaths that she provided on the graves of veterans interred in that cemetery; and

WHEREAS, in her spare time, General Leslie served on the Board of Directors of the Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby, the Board of Directors of the Red Cross and the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer's Association, but beneath her tough exterior was a soft and loving heart and she enjoyed gardening, decorating, cooking, entertaining and hosting Christmas Eve dinners; and

WHEREAS, General Leslie was a strong, loving and compassionate nurse, veteran, aunt, neighbor, confidante and friend who touched the lives of all those who crossed her sweet and charming path, and her warm hugs and bright smile will be forever cherished by her family, friends and others who knew her and experienced her greatness; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed life's river to now stand upon the celestial shores in wonderment of Heaven's grandeur in glorious reunion with the kindred spirits who transitioned before her, including her parents; brother, Hubert Leslie; sisters, Christine Chavers, Helen Cain and Polly Leslie; brother-in-law, Troy Cain; and nephews, Troy Cain, Jr., Bill Cain, Dick Cain, Jackie Leslie and Roy Leslie, the memories of General Leslie will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of her survivors: her nieces, Jeanette Cain Winstead (Jack) and Wanda Leslie Price (Joe); several great-nieces and great-nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Retired Brigadier General Martha Jo Leslie, a heroic woman of unparalleled stature who served as a valuable role model to countless women, nurses and Army officers throughout her life, 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 Brigadier General Martha Jo Leslie, 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 Brigadier General Martha Jo Leslie and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.