[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 162 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MRS, SHIRLEY FAYE EDWARDS FRENCH

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                       HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON--

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 20, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
legacy and service of a remarkable leader, Mrs. Shirley Faye Edwards 
French.
  Shirley Faye Edwards was born on October 13, 1955 to the late Harold 
Edwards and Cora Burrell Walker. Born and raised in Marks, Mississippi, 
Shirley was a surprising addition to the family, coming 11 years after 
her mother's then youngest child.
  Throughout her educational journey, Shirley made lifelong 
connections. Her third-grade teacher, Hattie Causey Purdy, became her 
godmother, and mentored Shirley into adulthood. In 1973, Shirley 
graduated from Quitman County High School and matriculated to Northwest 
Mississippi Community College (NWCC). From NWCC, Shirley transferred to 
the University of Mississippi where she earned her Bachelor of Social 
Work in 1977.
  On May 21, 1983, Shirley united in Holy Matrimony to Willie French, 
Jr. They are the proud parents of one daughter, Whitney Sade' French.
  Valley Queen Missionary Baptist Church gave Shirley her spiritual 
foundation as well as a knack for community outreach. At Valley Queen, 
Shirley was active in Sunday School as the recording secretary, She 
served on the Board of Christian Education, which not only provided 
guidance and planning around Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, 
but also encouraged and awarded academic achievements. Shirley has been 
a lifelong member of Valley Queen with the exception of three years 
where she was a member of College Hill Missionary Baptist Church in 
Jackson, Mississippi. She currently serves as the church's announcing 
clerk.
  Shirley has always been known for her outgoing personality and her 
gift of gab. She will talk to anyone about almost anything. This would 
have been a perfect skillset for her original dream job, a television 
broadcast journalist. However, plans changed and Shirley became a 
social worker. Shirley has used her voice to initiate positive changes 
in the lives of her clients and the communities she has served over the 
past 44 years.
  Shirley has a legacy of ``firsts'' throughout her career. Shirley was 
the first Social Worker/Community Engagement Coordinator for Aaron E. 
Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc. She helped plan and 
implement Jackson Police Department's Domestic Violence Case Management 
Program. Shirley was the first Director of the Quitman County 
Development Organization daycare center, and she was the first Project 
Director for the original Delta Futures Healthy Start Initiative, now 
known as Delta HealthPartners. After serving as a ``first'' in many 
organizations, Shirley spent time in program administration during her 
tenure at Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Inc. The program she is most 
known for during her time at Y.O.U. was M.A.D.A.M.E. Butterfly. While 
at Y.O.U., Shirley decided to further her education and earned her 
Master of Social Work, which she received in 2016. Currently, Shirley 
serves as a Social Work Case Manager for Delta HealthPartners Healthy 
Start Initiative under the auspices of Tougaloo College.
  In addition to giving back to the community through her church and 
career, Shirley shares her gifts and knowledge with others on a regular 
basis. Shirley is well known for serving as Mistress of Ceremony 
(program guide) for many church programs and funerals in the community. 
She has worked behind the scenes to help plan community programs, 
birthday parties, and retirement celebrations. She offers her skills in 
critiquing to give valuable feedback on documents and to help clarify 
and expand ideas. Her networking is unmatched and she is never afraid 
to make connections or requests that will help those around her reach 
their goals.
  Shirley makes sure those around her know that she is thinking about 
them and she cares. Shirley will stop her car and speak to those whom 
she once taught in Sunday School, former program participants, and 
former neighbors. She is also one to strike up a conversation in the 
grocery store or at the gas station. In addition to asking about how 
the person and their family and friends are doing, she will often give 
a history lesson on their family or the community. More importantly, 
Shirley reminds people of goals they have shared with her, positive 
attributes she's noticed about them, and offers words of encouragement. 
Much like her mother, she has a phone network of friends and family 
members she checks in with on a regular basis and she is very adamant 
about recognizing and celebrating birthdays, holidays, accomplishments, 
and other special occasions.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
Shirley Faye Edwards French for her dedication in serving her 
community.

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