In my 44-plus year career as a community journalist, I witnessed dozens upon dozens of official proclamation signings and presentations. While each was merited and well intentioned, they sometimes fell into the realm of pro forma politics as many elected officials used them to assuage their constituencies.
However, the presentation I witnessed on Feb. 16 at St. James M.B. Church was unlike any of them as State Sen. Joe Thomas Sr. of Yazoo City unveiled a Senatorial Proclamation he and the Lieutenant Governor signed honoring Mrs. Linda Smith-Myles, a member of the St. James congregation. Very few such recognitions of the many I have witnessed were so on the mark as this one.
Most everyone in Sunflower County knows St. James. It is the small church located on Highway 49 just south of the Inverness side of the Sunflower River bridge. Its parking lot is usually full, the praise in word and song unrestrained and the welcome always warm.
There are even fewer in the county who do not know Linda, the life-long, indefatigable, vocal advocate for our elderly and children. She is renowned for asking little and giving much. Her forceful persistence in her causes, even in retirement, is legendary. Those who know her understand her motivation — a big Christian heart driven towards action on behalf of the least of us.
Also, Linda herself was an infant foundling, which makes the fourth "whereas" in the text below so compelling.
I write this because Linda is unlikely to toot her own horn very much. It is important for all of us to know about this honor so we can give her a big community group hug for her service and example. Thank you, Linda, for loving us.
Please allow me to share with you the following text of the presentation as signed by the Lt. Governor and Sen. Thomas, whose district encompasses much of south Sunflower County:
"WHEREAS, in honor of Black History Month, we join the citizens of Inverness, Indianola and Sunflower County, Mississippi, in honoring the civic and charitable contributions of Mrs. Linda Smith Myles, a respected citizen of the Mississippi Delta; and
"WHEREAS, Mrs. Myles is a longtime member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Inverness, and serves as Assistant Leader of the Mission Ministry of the Sunflower County Baptist Association; and
"WHEREAS, Mrs. Myles is a supporter of programs for the elderly and our youth, and has a strong record with the National Caucus and the Center on Black Aged, Inc., and developing senior jobs; and
"WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, she has served as a Resource Parent for the Mississippi Department of Family and Children Services. Thirty-four or more youth have been placed in her home; and
"WHEREAS, Mrs. Myles is a Community Representative providing information to Senior Citizens on how to stay and live in a safe environment; and
"WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute to a legacy of leadership and dedication to a citizen who is a wonderful example for all in Mississippi:
"NOW, THEREFORE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DELBERT HOSEMANN, AS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND SENATOR JOSEPH THOMAS do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Senate for the civic contributions of Mrs. Linda Smith Myles of Indianola, Mississippi, on the occasion of Black History Month, and extend our greetings at the presentation at St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Inverness, Mississippi, on February 16, 2020.”
