[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE REVEREND AND MRS. JAMES (MARY) FUNCHESS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RONNIE SHOWS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2002

  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Reverend and Mrs. 
James (Mary) Funchess of Georgetown, Mississippi.
  On April 13th, friends and relatives and parishioners of the Greater 
Mount Olive Baptist Church of Jackson, Mississippi, will turn out to 
celebrate the 13th anniversary of Rev. Funchess' being the Minister of 
that great church.
  The son of John and Alpha Funchess, James Funchess has lived his 
whole life in Georgetown, Mississippi. He attended schools in Copiah 
County and theological seminaries throughout the Great State of 
Mississippi, He accepted the ministry more than 25 years ago and today 
is the Dean of the Copiah County Ministerial Alliance. He has 
established himself as an esteemed community leader in Copiah County 
and Greater Jackson.
  It is quite an accomplishment, offering ministry to so many people 
for 13 years as Minister at Mount Olive Baptist Church. But the 
kindness, the wisdom, and the leadership of Reverend Funchess extend 
far beyond those 13 years. His family and friends are gathering to 
celebrate the blessings that James and Mary Funchess have bestowed upon 
thousands of people whose paths have crossed theirs during their 
lifetime of ministry throughout Mississippi.
  Indeed, his favorite saying is ``I will let nothing mess up my day. 
This is the day the Lord has made me.'' These are words to live by, and 
give me great comfort. So I am happy to join the celebration honoring 
James and Mary Funchess, and to lend my voice in praising and thanking 
them for their good work.

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