Mississippi HR 22: Alberta Marion Howard Alexander; commend life upon her passing.

Bill Text

HR 22 (As Adopted by House) - 2019 Regular Session 

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Sykes

House Resolution 22

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, 
LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MRS. ALBERTA MARION HOWARD ALEXANDER AND EXPRESSING 
DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

���� WHEREAS, it is written in II 
Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look 
not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the 
things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are 
eternal," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's 
destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Alberta Marion 
Howard Alexander, to rest eternally, on Saturday, December 22, 2018, as she has 
made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, 
rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

���� WHEREAS, the City of Jackson 
lost a wonderful friend and skilled seamstress with the passing of Mother 
Alexander, born to the late Mr. Frank and Mrs. Barbara Luckett Howard on June 
20, 1928, 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 pillar of strength, 
immense generosity and care, "Mom," as she was lovingly known as by 
those she loved unconditionally through her service to family and humanity, was 
a tireless servant and practicing member of the Catholic faith who touched 
countless lives through her selfless giving, imparted intelligence, 
entertaining spirit and regal stature of virtue; and

���� WHEREAS, Mrs. Alexander 
received her formal education at Holy Ghost Catholic School before later 
graduating from Lanier High School, the perfect preparation for her collegiate 
matriculation, briefly at Tougaloo College before graduating from Tuskegee 
Institute with a bachelor of science degree in home economics and elementary 
education, and where she also served as the principal soprano soloist for the 
famed Tuskegee Institute Choir under the direction of composer and world 
renowned Dean of African-American Chorale music tradition, Mr. William Dawson, 
which enabled her to be the premier soloist when the Tuskegee Institute Choir 
became the first African-American performing group to appear at Washington, 
D.C.'s Constitution Hall in 1946; and

���� WHEREAS, with education as 
foundation of her legacy, Mrs. Alexander, a member of Phi Delta Kappa Honors 
Education Fraternity, attained both her master's degree in gifted education and 
specialist's degree in education from Jackson State University, and completed 
studies in Mississippi State University's Ph.D. program, and in keeping with 
the family's tradition, began her professional career as an educator by first 
establishing a tailoring school for veterans, and subsequent thereto, devoting 
40 years to public elementary education throughout the State of Mississippi, 
which resulted in the crowning achievements of establishing the Open Doors 
Gifted and Talented Program for Jackson Public Schools and assisting in the 
creation of the APAC (Academic and Performing Arts Complex), both of which 
detail her infinite impact as an educator; and

���� WHEREAS, initially poised 
for a career as a soloist, fate would lend itself to otherwise, and in accordance 
with the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the Great 
Deity and grand architect of our lives' destiny, Alberta's heart was pierced by 
the love, chivalry and affection of 

Fred Alexander Sr., who swept her 
off her feet, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one 
another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony, building a 
lifetime of memories with the addition of five children, with whom they shared 
the abundant blessings of love, honor, humility, respect, civility, social 
awareness and tenacious perseverance; and

���� WHEREAS, a God-fearing 
Christian before all other roles she assumed, a devoted wife and nurturing, 
protective and caring mother next, Mrs. Alexander was the epitome of a woman of 
Proverbs 31:10 virtue who possessed an ambitious spirit akin to that of King 
David, as she was a woman who sought the very heart of God and demonstrated 
great faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and command of respect, both given 
by and required of her, as a lifelong member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church 
which spurred her affiliations with such internal organizations as:� the Alter 
Society; Knights of St. Peter Claver; St. Joseph Circle; St. Martin de Pores; 
church choir member and soloist; and Catechism Program Instructor/Mentor; and

���� WHEREAS, equally devoted to 
the call of community, cultural and civic awareness,