The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING MRS, SHIRLEY FAYE EDWARDS FRENCH
______
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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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 162
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