[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 153 (Friday, September 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               HONORING THE LIFE OF EDWARD M. COURSE JR.

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 4, 2020

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life of a remarkable individual, Edward McCoy Course Jr.
  Mr. Course, 68, died Tuesday, July 7, 2020, in Greenwood, 
Mississippi. He was the longest-serving deacon at Providence Missionary 
Baptist Church and the church secretary. Mr. Course was also a life 
member of the Mississippi Valley State University National Alumni 
Association and past president of its Leflore County chapter. He served 
as chairman of the Leflore County Election Commission for 41 years and 
worked for the Mississippi State Department of Health for 30 Years, 
serving as district supervisor of environmental quality.
  Working in the civil rights movement at an early age, he marched as a 
boy and later worked within the NAACP for a short time. Mr. Course 
displayed a willingness to give back to the community, to work, and 
asked for very little in return. He spent all his life at Providence 
and was beloved by many.
  As chairman of the election commission, he would help with voter 
registration drives, going to local high schools, and MVSU to ensure 
people understood the processes and volunteering to make sure 
everything was run smoothly. He was able to offer a wealth of knowledge 
to all those around him.
  Mr. Course is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mrs. Linda Course of 
Greenwood; a special niece, Jakayla Rayford of Greenwood; six sisters, 
Marjorie Course of Houston, Texas, Joyce Ann Course and Sandra Course, 
both of Greenwood, Katie Course and Denise (Thad) Johnson, both of 
Jackson, and Gail (Lucious) Lewis of Clinton; and two brothers, Ervin 
Course of Greenwood and Terrence Course (Celdrick) of Carrollton.
  Mrs. Course said that her husband lived by a simple sentiment that 
she feels personifies the message they wanted to share to the world: 
``Never lose faith or give up.''
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Mr. Edward McCoy Course Jr., in which he was a faithful community 
leader, worker, and motivator.

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