[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MRS. CORRIE BELL MISSOURI

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a pillar in 
our community, Mrs. Corrie Bell Missouri of Columbia, South Carolina, 
on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
  Mrs. Missouri has offered tireless assistance to her community for 
many years. She visits Pontiac Elementary School annually, where she 
entertains the students with facts from her ``Wonder Years.'' One of 
the skills Mrs. Missouri likes to share is her ability to recite the 
alphabet backwards. She is very active with the Francis Burns Senior 
Citizens, as well as with the Zion Canaan Senior Citizens Bible Study.
  Mrs. Missouri was born in Richland County, South Carolina, on March 
24, 1898, to Wilson and Estelle Bell. Mrs. Missouri is one of six 
children. Her siblings include William Harry Bell of New York (89 years 
old), Marion Bell Foster (deceased), Desport Bell (deceased), Essie 
Dixon (deceased), and James S. Bell (deceased). Family and good values 
are Mrs. Missouri's most cherished possessions. At an early age she 
married Bogan C. Missouri (deceased). They had one son, the Reverend 
Rufus Levi Mosby. She proudly carries the title of great-grandmother 
and has two grand-daughters, Carrie Boyce and Beverly J. Mosby; and one 
great-grandson, D. ``Ray'' Boyce.
  In her youth, Mrs. Missouri attended school at Zion Canaan Church. In 
those days, children only went to school for three months so they could 
help in the fields the remainder of the year. Mrs. Missouri is a member 
of Zion Canaan Baptist Church, and she enjoys reading the Holy Bible 
and listening to all types of Christian music. Her favorite Bible 
scripture is Psalms 100, which calls for Christians to worship and give 
thanks to the Lord. She encourages the young to ``obey your parents. 
Parents, love and respect your children, and teach your children about 
the Lord.''
  On Tuesday, March 24, 1998, family and friends will gather in 
celebration of Mrs. Missouri's 100th birthday. Please join me in 
wishing Mrs. Corrie Bell Missouri a prosperous and happy birthday. Mrs. 
Missouri is truly a living example of the American spirit that our 
country's flag represents.

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