The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors honored longtime Board Attorney Jack Brown with a Mississippi House of Representatives resolution commending his life and service during its meeting on Monday.
Brown served as the board attorney for more than 18 years before he died in late February. The resolution was co-authored by his eventual replacement, House Rep. Rob Roberson R-Starkville, and House Rep. Cheikh Taylor D- Starkville.
Roberson said people seldom get the opportunity to honor someone who has been a part of this community, and unfortunately they tend to do it after they pass. He said sometimes the only way to show how much someone meant to them, is to share memories and honors with the family members that are still with us.
"Jack Brown was a titan for our community and a pillar for this community, and we wanted to show as a board and as our state how much we appreciate that," Roberson said. "Not only that, he has helped more people in this community than most people realize,"
Roberson referenced a particular clause in the resolution, which reads "Whereas a friend to all horses and German Shepherds, Mr. Brown was a lifelong learner, a voracious reader and a grand storyteller." Roberson said that line reads true if one had ever met Brown.
"It was amazing to me how quick and quick witted he was, and he could come up with a story and example to give us," Roberson said.
Roberson said as a token of their appreciation from the state of Mississippi and Oktibbeha County, he presents House Resolution No. 50 to represent their appreciation for Brown, thanking his family for letting them borrow him to serve their community.
The resolution also featured Brown's accomplishments and other noticeable qualities.
Brown’s daughter, Oktibbeha County Prosecutor Haley Brown, said receiving the resolution from Roberson and the supervisors further cements her father’s legacy as a public servant.
"Having the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors acknowledge my father's tireless service means the world to me and my family. I appreciate the work state Representatives Rob Roberson and Cheikh Taylor did to make the House proclamation a reality," Brown said. "I'd like to thank all five supervisors for taking time to recognize him. My father was honored to serve this county, and I am honored to receive the proclamation on his behalf."