[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MRS. ODA LUE SANDERS GILMORE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
long and distinguished life of Mrs. Oda Lue Sanders Gilmore. Mrs. Oda 
Lue Sanders Gilmore was born in 1914 in Leake County to Velmon and 
Maggie Crouther Sanders. Being the eldest of three children, her 
parents instilled in her the importance of education and having family 
values, in which she carried and followed throughout her life. She 
built her life on being a role model to her students by never meeting a 
stranger and always having an open door to assist anyone. Her motto was 
``Always walk like you have a purpose in life.''
  Mrs. Gilmore received her junior high and high school education at 
Mary Holmes Seminary for Girls in West Point, MS and continued her 
education at Jackson State College, now Jackson State University, where 
she received her B.S. in elementary education. Mrs. Gilmore began her 
teaching career in the rural school system of Leake County, teaching in 
Tribulation, Pilgrim Rest, Wesley Chapel, and O.E. Jordan Elementary 
Schools. After teaching the students of Leake County Schools for 46 
years, she finally retired in 1978 from Carthage Elementary School. 
Mrs. Oda married Hollis ``Lanky'' Gilmore in 1935, in which she joined 
Wesley Chapel UMC, where she remains a faithful member to date. She has 
served in many capacities within the church, including secretary, 
treasurer, nominating committee and Sunday School Teacher. In the 
United Methodist Women, she has served in various offices, such as 
President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and secretary on the local, sub-
district, and district levels. Mrs. Gilmore served as a delegate to the 
Mississippi Methodist Conference and, later the Mississippi United 
Methodist Conference, for over 40 years.
  She has also attended national and jurisdictional United Methodist 
Women conferences in Cincinnati, OH; Raleigh, NC; Philadelphia, PA; and 
Kansas City, Missouri. Throughout the years, she has received 
distinguished awards and accolades from various associations and 
organizations, with the most recent being a 96th birthday card from 
President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama.

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