[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 7, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E10]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING WILLIESTINE ``PEGGY'' LARK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable unsung hero, Mrs. Williestine ``Peggy'' Lark, a woman who is 
truly worthy of admiration.
  Mrs. Lark is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an educator, a mentor, 
and a friend who exemplifies true womanhood through her virtuous 
lifestyle. She has dedicated her life to empowering the lives of her 
family and community.
  Mrs. Lark is the third of twelve children born in the small town of 
Monticello, MS. She has always desired to pursue a good education and 
become successful in life. After completing high school, she attended 
Mississippi Valley State University located in Itta Bena, MS. Mrs. Lark 
was the first in her family to graduate from college. After receiving 
her degree, she became a teacher in Durant Public Schools. In 1969, she 
married and started a family there in Durant, MS.
  While raising her children, Denise, Monica and LaRonica, Mrs. Lark 
instilled in them the value of being well-educated. She lived by 
example and continued to pursue her education as well. She received her 
Master's Degree in Education in 1979 and continued to further her 
education with degrees from both Jackson State University and Delta 
State University. Mrs. Lark was relentlessly involved in her daughters' 
education and committed to supporting them in their extracurricular 
activities. She also voluntarily took on mentoring children in her 
community as well as the students she taught. With her support and 
encouragement, many of her students have successful careers. Among them 
are her daughters--Denise, who is an elementary school principal and 
Monica, a high school teacher.
  In the year of 1995, Mrs. Lark lost her daughter, LaRonica to a car 
accident. Although this was a trying time for her, she thrived by 
sharing herself with the children in her community. Even through her 
daughter's death, she allowed her daughter to become an organ donor and 
donated her heart.
  Today, Mrs. Lark is active in her grandchildren's education and 
encourages them to volunteer in their schools and community. Her 
grandchildren are honor students--one of who has graduated from high 
school attends college on scholarship, with an ACT score of 25. Her 
grandson and two granddaughters volunteer every summer in programs for 
youth.
  Mrs. Lark is retired from teaching after 35 years in the Durant 
Public Schools system. She is presently the coordinator of the after-
school tutorial program at the Community Students Learning Center in 
Lexington, MS, where she teaches and inspires children from her 
``heart''. She can often be found voluntarily transporting community 
children to summer programs and activities throughout the community.
  In Mrs. Lark's personal time, she often opens up her home to mentor, 
tutor, feed, and reward children for their achievements. She is also a 
devoted Christian and Sunday school teacher. She loves to help children 
learn, be creative, and feel good about themselves.
  There is nothing more picturesque than the smile that Mrs. Lark wears 
for each child's accomplishments. She has the gift of making people 
feel good about themselves and finds the time to teach and inspire 
those around her, giving others the ability to wear that same smile 
that she wears everyday.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an unsung 
hero, Mrs. Williestine ``Peggy'' Lark, for her dedication to serving 
others.

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