[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MS. LAURA JOSIEPHINE TOWNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, this month and all this 
month I rise to give honor to a member of my district whom most people 
don't know but need to know. So today, I rise to honor Ms. Laura 
Josiephine Towner of Pace, MS.
  Ms. Towner was born on July 2, 1923, to Willie and Ada Towner. She 
was born south of Pace, MS, as the third child of three children born 
out of that union. She was affectionately called ``Nina'' by her father 
but the love between mother and daughter was unparalleled. Ms. Towner 
was educated in the colored school in Pace, MS. She later furthered her 
education through Coahoma Junior College and Jackson State College.
  Life shrinks and expands according to one's drive and ambition. Ms. 
Towner taught school for a few years; however, knowing that her sister 
and brother were running a club and earning more money than she was at 
the time, $50.00 per month, she widened her scope to include a club of 
her own. Life was great and her place earned the reputation as the 
place to be in Pace. Her move to open a club proved to be prosperous 
and opened up many doors to growth.
  A woman is like a full circle because within her is the power to 
create, nurture, transform, and re-adjust when necessary. Ms. Towner 
was married three times and divorced just as many. She is the mother of 
four children: Auwilda, Herby, Sonya, and Monroe. She never broke 
stride in her pursuit of life and prosperity. To her, family meant 
everything, it was her mother, sister and brother who stepped in and 
helped her with her children while she pressed forward as a night club 
owner, a beautician, and a farmer. Those professions were more than 
adequate income, thus allowing her to provide for her children. When 
she became a grandmother, Ms. Towner remembered the help she had and 
therefore it was her turn to help. She stepped in and helped her 
children with their children when necessary. Her grandchildren include: 
Carin and Myrick (Auwilda); Kevin, Chanay, and Barry (Herbye); Gared 
and Meagan (Sonya); and Aldrich, Lisa, Amara, and Tanji (Monroe). Ms. 
Towner is now the great grandmother to twelve great grandchildren. She 
made sure Auwilda, Herbye, Sonya, and Monroe went to college and 
sometimes made contributions to her grandchildren's college education.
  Just watch, all of you men and women, and see what a woman can do 
when she is determined. Ms. Towner's children were never without food 
or clothing. She fed both adults and children, many from the community, 
friends, acquaintances, and even a stranger or two. Oftentimes, men 
without wives went to her for a good southern meal because she was 
known for her cooking. Ms. Towner extended credit to many of the 
residents of Pace by allowing them to purchase items from her store and 
club on their promise to pay. And when someone did not pay, her 
understanding and big heart would not refuse them more credit. She 
would smile, only remembering how good God has been to her and 
therefore she could not refuse. Much of the early economic stability of 
Pace is attributed to her. She was mother and father to her own and 
many others in the community.
  Ms. Laura J. Towner is a prominent member of Elbethel Missionary 
Baptist Church. Elbethel MB Church is home to many members of her 
family, both in life and after life. From 1973 to 1988 she was the City 
Clerk of Pace, performing her job with high integrity and standards. 
Her lifetime presence and service in Pace has won the hearts of many 
people from different races, black, white, and others.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Laura 
Josiephine Towner of the Mississippi Second Congressional District.

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