House Resolution 114

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. ELLIS "SCOTT" SLATER.

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 June 12, 2023, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Ellis "Scott" Slater, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Madison, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend, loving husband and father, and dedicated community leader with the passing of Mr. Slater, who was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on July 14, 1956, to Ellis Slater, Jr., and Lullene Thornton Slater, 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, Mr. Slater played football at Wingfield High School and Jim Hill High School, and he graduated from Jim Hill in 1974 and then went on to graduate from Mississippi State University with a degree in mechanical engineering; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, Mr. Slater exchanged the vows of holy matrimony with the love of his life, Vicki, and they completed their family unit with the addition of six children, Rhoda Palmer (Tim), Nathan Holman (Meredith), Neilsen Holman (Jennifer), Sally Easterling (Chris), Thomas Slater (Jonathan) and Steven Slater (Mary Esther); and

WHEREAS, Mr. Slater worked for many years at Packard Electric and had worked at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for the past several years, and in his spare time, he enjoyed creating art, traveling and spending time with his family; and

WHEREAS, a man of uncompromised faith, Mr. Slater was a proud member of Galloway United Methodist Church and a Goodwill ambassador, and people who knew and loved Mr. Slater knew him to be kind hearted, a follower of Christ, and a loving friend with a generous spirit who always made you laugh and feel loved; and WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his father and mother, and by his granddaughter, Mary Elise Slater, and the memory of Mr. Slater, a man 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 his beloved survivors: his wife, Vicki; brother, John (Doreen); children, Rhoda Palmer (Tim), Nathan Holman (Meredith), Neilsen Holman (Jennifer), Sally Easterling (Chris), Thomas Slater (Jonathan) and Steven Slater (Mary Esther); nine grandchildren; sisters-in-law Mitzi Stubbs, Sondra Toney (Lee) and Susan Thames (David); 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 Mr. Slater fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7 by having "fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Ellis "Scott" Slater, a gracious man who loved his family and friends unconditionally, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

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 of Mr. Ellis "Scott" Slater, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Ellis "Scott" Slater and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.