[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MRS. MARY LEE TAYLOR

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
former educator and longtime community activist from Tallahatchie 
County, MS, Mrs. Mary Lee Taylor.
  Mrs. Taylor is 101 years old. She was born January 17, 1913 in 
Paynes, MS. Her years have been long and her mind is full of many 
stories her eyes have seen. I am talking about trying times, historical 
eras, blue skies, and personal achievements.
  Mrs. Taylor is a 1936 graduate of the Tallahatchie County Training 
School. She went on to continue her education at Rust College in Holly 
Springs, MS and at the Mississippi Vocational College (now referred to 
as Mississippi Valley State University) in Itta Bena, MS. There she 
received her Bachelor of Science Degree.
  Her age has not had an effect on her memory which brings smiles to 
her face. One of her personal achievements is that Mrs. Taylor is the 
only person in her family who received an education, according to her 
son, Mervyn Leon Taylor.
  Mrs. Taylor taught 1st grade and adult education classes. Another 
achievement of Mrs. Taylor is that she was one of the original pioneers 
who led the effort to bring the Head Start program to Charleston and 
across Tallahatchie County. Her list of fighting for the citizens of 
Tallahatchie County and surrounding communities goes on to include road 
improvements in the Black community, and bringing electricity and 
telephone service to the Black communities.
  Her son, Mervyn, said his mother wasn't just active locally but also 
overseas. She traveled to poverty stricken areas on mission trips. Mrs. 
Taylor was also an active member in her church, St. Paul Christian 
Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church. She served as president of the 
local missionary, president of the Northern District Episcopal faith 
domination, and missionary president of the northern and southern 
Mississippi C.M.E. conferences.
  Mrs. Taylor is the widow of the late Mr. Jimmy M. Taylor. She now 
lives in the Blue Cane Community, right outside of Charleston.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Mary 
Lee Taylor a pioneer in her community who has helped to pave the way 
for others, like you and me, to come along.

                          ____________________