House Resolution 111

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. MARY ALICE GATEWOOD MOMAN.

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 23, 2019, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Mary Alice Gatewood Moman, to eternal rest, rendering immense heartache and loss to her family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend and community leader with the passing of Mrs. Moman, who was born on October 11, 1923, the oldest of three daughters, to Alice Gatewood in Greenville, 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, Mary Alice accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age, and later became a lifelong member of Tougaloo College Church of Christ, 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, because there was no 12th grade for African Americans in her hometown of Belzoni, Mississippi, Mary Alice moved to Tougaloo, Mississippi, and completed high school at Tougaloo College Prepatory School; and

WHEREAS, in order to attend Tougaloo College Prepatory School, Mary Alice moved in with the Archie family in the Tougaloo community, which not only enabled her to receive her high school degree, but also led her to her soul mate, as she met and fell in love with Howard "Sonny" Moman, and on their graduation day from Tougaloo Prepatory High School, Mary Alice and Sonny exchanged the vows of holy matrimony, while still wearing their graduation robes; and

WHEREAS, when Mary Alice married Sonny, she gained a loving and caring husband and also a very large family full of love and advice, especially her in-laws, who were avid supporters of higher education and decided that both Mary Alice and Sonny would finish their education at Tougaloo College, so Sonny received his bachelor of arts degree in 1946 and Mary Alice received hers in 1947 and then they both pursued graduate degrees; and

WHEREAS, Mary Alice and Sonny completed their family unit with the addition of two beautiful children, Brenda Lucille and Richard Larry, and during the 1940s and early 1950s, they moved all around the Mississippi Delta and assisted with the creation and accreditation of new schools to teach African-American children; and

WHEREAS, after years of traveling, Mary Alice's dream of raising her children and working in Jackson came true, as she became a teacher at Sumner Hill High School, then Brinkley High School and finally Murrah High School, where she was one of the first African-American teachers, and after a 30-year teaching career, Mary Alice stepped away from the blackboard having played a profound role in the lives of numerous students who thrived under her tutelage, as she inspired each one while helping them reach their fullest potential and achieve greatness; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her roles as wife, mother, teacher and mentor, Mary Alice was also a clothing designer who could recreate any dress or blouse she saw in a store, and one of her designs was worn during the Miss Mississippi Pageant by the first African-American winner, Toni Deniece Seawright, in 1987; and

WHEREAS, the legacy of Mrs. Mary Alice Gatewood Moman will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of her beloved survivors: her children, Brenda Lucille Moman Brown and Richard Larry Moman (Stacy); sister, Evelyn Gatewood Banks; grandchildren, Lisa Moorehead Teeuwissen (Pieter), Earl Kevin Moorehead, Keith Edward Moorehead, Heather Tiffany Moman Brown (Eric) and Jenny Moman; great-grandchildren, Brittany Moman, Maya Teeuwissen, Nina Teeuwissen, Lia Teeuwissen, Eden Moorehead, Howard Moorehead, Jaxon Brown, Jace Brown and Oliva Booker; great-great-grandchild, Alexander P. "Mr. Smith" Smith; nephews, State Representative Earle S. Banks, Ben Saulter (Sherri), David Saulter, Dr. Lionel Fraser (Dianne) and Howard Sanders (Gwen); and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, throughout her life, Mary Alice touched all she encountered in her 95 years on this earth and always strived for excellence, and now, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member and renewed in their faith that Mrs. Mary Alice Gatewood Moman fulfilled the purpose of her appointed time in adherence to 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 the House of Representatives to commend the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Mary Alice Gatewood Moman, whose life light illuminated the path of hope for all she encountered along this earthly sojourn:

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 Mrs. Mary Alice Gatewood Moman, to whose family we express sincere and deepest sympathy upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Mary Alice Gatewood Moman and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.