House Resolution 63

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. DOROTHY "DOT" J. BENFORD AND EXPRESSING SINCEREST SYMPATHY UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Dr. Dorothy "Dot" J. Benford, a renowned and longtime community and political activist, departed this earthly life to be in the presence of the Lord on December 22, 2021, at the age of 79, bringing sorrow to her family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, born on October 6, 1942, to her parents, Willie Benford, Sr., and Blanche Coleman Benford, Dr. Benford was reared in Christian love along with her three siblings; and

WHEREAS, knowing the importance of receiving an education, Dr. Benford is a graduate of Lanier High School and she attended Jackson State University before earning an undergraduate degree from Tougaloo College and then a master's degree from the University of Mississippi before finally earning a doctorate's degree from Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, as one who had a passion for sharing knowledge, Dr. Benford positively broadened the minds of youth in her role as an educator with the Jackson Public Schools system, where she taught at Blackburn Junior High and Jim Hill High School respectively; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Benford also served as a professor at Mary Holmes Junior College in West Point, Mississippi, where she taught political science, American government and history, and she later returned to the Capitol City and made contributions as the curator of history for the Manship House and the Old Capitol Museum; and

WHEREAS, a virtuous woman who accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at White Baptist Church in Holly Buff, Mississippi, Dr. Benford used her God-given talents and innate nature of wanting to help others and opened and operated The Grace Personal Care and Independent Living Center; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Benford not only demonstrated her care for her community by providing much needed services, she also served the community by being a strong community activist and a longtime active member of both the Democratic Party and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and

WHEREAS, the memories of Dr. Benford will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of her survivors, some of whom include: her sons, Dolph and Dwight; grandchildren, Dominique, Timothy, Destiny, Dwight, Jr., and Tony; brother, Willie; and a host of other loved ones who will forever treasure the pearls of wisdom she so freely shared throughout her 79 years of blessed life; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life, legacy and contributions of a beloved community supporter such as Dr. Benford who was a friend and defender to those who could not defend or care for themselves:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and contributions of Dr. Dorothy "Dot" J. Benford and express sincerest sympathy upon her passing to her family and friends.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Dr. Dorothy "Dot" J. Benford and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.