House Resolution 18

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE OUTSTANDING LIFE, LEGACY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DEACONESS MARGUERITE VARNADO PITTMAN AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Deaconess Marguerite Varnado Pittman, 79, of the McComb and Fernwood Community in Mississippi, was highly blessed and favored to matriculate her physical being into the transition of a new life and a new house on Sunday, February 1, 2015, and though many people look upon death as a sad occasion, the death of a Christian is a glorious time, for our Lord and Savior said so, and the Psalmist in the Book of Psalms emphasizes: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints"; and

WHEREAS, Deaconess Pittman was the eldest of four children born to the late Andrew and Golena O'Rookes Varnado on Thursday, July 4, 1935, at Charity Hospital of New Orleans, Louisiana, and though the full and complete life of Deaconess Pittman passed for transformation, her spirit of praise will forever live in our hearts; and

WHEREAS, as a child, she matriculated her educational ventures beginning with the completion of a grammar school education from the Universal Elementary School, a high school education from the Pike County Agriculture High School in May 1953, where she was recognized and honored as one of the Pike County Agriculture High School's Outstanding Basketball Athletes who received the Determination Honorary Medal for her outstanding athletic qualities; and

WHEREAS, she continued her education in the medical care field as a certified nursing assistant candidate at the Booker T. Nursing Academy of New Orleans, Louisiana, and completed further training as a certified nursing assistant; and

WHEREAS, she shared many of her employable and professionally acquired skills in various positions at the following: Southwest Nursing Home Agency as a certified nursing assistant, after relocating back to McComb from Chicago, Illinois; the Kellwood Company as a seamstress supervisor for men's suits and custom drapes designer at Lumas Drapery and Upholstery in McComb; South Central Bell as a telephone book coder as well as advertising and marketing; delivery router for the Enterprise Journal, Times-Picayune and Southwest Sun newspaper publishers for over 17 years of dedicated and committed service, both off and on the clock; and

WHEREAS, she was a birth child of the Catholic faith as a member of the St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church of Chatawa, Mississippi, and she was recognized and documented as the first black to wed at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of McComb, and later in her spiritual life, she joined the Mt. Olive M.B. Church under the pastorship of the late Reverend Ned Taylor, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, throughout her many years of ministry service at Mt. Olive M.B. Church, she faithfully served in various capacities, was a strong lover of the Gospel Music Ministry, served obediently letting the Holy Spirit guide her in accepting any ministry task she was given, and throughout her many affiliations and associations, she lived to show how a life lived as Deaconess Pittman cannot and will not die, but will live on in the hearts and memories of all who shared her life; and

WHEREAS, she served as Deaconess, financial secretary for the Women's Mission Department, formerly the Senior Choir, the Sanctuary Choir, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Mass Choir, the refreshment committee, the picnic committee, the Vacation Bible School Ministry, and was a strong supporter of the Youth Department, the Pastor's Aide Ministry and most recently a supporting vocal member of the Little Rock M.B. Church, and enjoyed being a part of any and all functions and events of the total church ministry; and

WHEREAS, she was joined in holy matrimony to Deacon Jeremiah Pittman and honored this loving commitment for a period over 43 years; there were nine children joined and blessed from this union, three having preceded her in death; she was one who strongly believed in the family unit and embraced a firm sense of church and community; was a woman of strong faith and relentless love for others, and she possessed a true servant's heart, and prior to her failing health, demonstrated her gifts and God-given talents by feeding others; one of her main passions was to share her decorating talents for promoting the holiday cheer through her many decorative features at her home with outstanding lighted exterior decorations which so many enjoyed during the holiday seasons; and

WHEREAS, Deaconess Pittman was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, an infant brother, a special sister-in-law, Deaconess Hue Etta Pittman, four daughters: Anita Burks, Neitha Jean Pittman, Bobbie Carol Summers, and Edna Pittman; she proudly leaves to celebrate, cherish and document her memories: a loving husband, Deacon Jeremiah Pittman; three sons, Reverend Donald (Dianne) Burks and Alvin Burks of McComb and Delesk Pittman of Las Vegas, Nevada; three daughters, Gwendolyn (James) Kenny and Joyce Ann Thomas of McComb, and Minister Marchetta (Dennis) Brown of Summit, Mississippi; a brother, Retired Sergeant Harold (Johnie) Varnado of Alexandria, Louisiana; a devoted sister, Gloria D. Varnado of McComb; seven brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law; 32 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; a very special spiritual daughter, Jacqueline Tobias of McComb; two aunts, Mrs. Eva Martin of Houma, Louisiana, and Mrs. Annie Mae Pride of New Orleans, Louisiana; one uncle, Deacon Louis Coleman of Magnolia, Mississippi; very special cousins, Martha Bell Williams, Clotile Plummber and Wallace and Della Simmons, Jr., of Chatawa; special and lovable caregivers, Patricia Bickham and Ms. Queenie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, Mission Sisters and church family; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute and commend the life of such an inspiring, caring and selfless, native Mississippian such as Deaconess Pittman whose life was a beacon of light, strength and love:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and outstanding legacy of Deaconess Marguerite Varnado Pittman 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 Deaconess Marguerite Varnado Pittman and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.