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H. R. No. 58 *HR26/R2488* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Denton, Ford (54th),
Harness
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 58
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, 1
LEGACY AND DISTINGUISHED ATHLETIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OF MR. 2
MARK ANTHONY SMITH, SR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS 3
FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING. 4
WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and a time to 5
every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the grand architect 6
of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our souls' 7
destiny, summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Mark 8
Anthony Smith, Sr., to eternal rest on February 9, 2026, as he 9
made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly 10
reward at the age of 51, rendering great sorrow and immeasurable 11
loss to his family, friends and the entire Vicksburg community; 12
and 13
WHEREAS, born on August 28, 1974, in the Kings community of 14
Vicksburg, Mississippi, to the late Milton Smith, Jr., and the 15
late Mary Carson Smith, Mark was the second-born of their loving 16
union and was reared upon the firm foundation of faith, family and 17
community, values that became the compass by which he charted the 18
course of his remarkable life; and 19
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WHEREAS, at an early age, Mark confessed Christ at Harris 20
Temple Church of God in Christ in the Kings community under the 21
leadership of Pastor Norwood, anchoring his life in the 22
unshakeable truth that "the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not 23
want," and carrying that quiet assurance from the sanctuary pew to 24
the roaring stadium lights; and 25
WHEREAS, from childhood, Mark's natural athletic ability 26
shone with uncommon brilliance, and during his formative years 27
within the Vicksburg-Warren School District, he established 28
himself as a formidable presence on both the basketball court and 29
football field, earning honors including Most Outstanding 30
Linebacker, Most Valuable Player, Best Offensive Player, Best 31
Rebounder and Player of the Week, and distinguishing himself as a 32
three-year letterman whose strength and discipline reflected the 33
spirit of excellence; and 34
WHEREAS, upon graduating from Vicksburg High School, Mark 35
advanced his athletic pilgrimage to Navarro Community College, 36
where he was recognized as the number one defensive player in the 37
nation, before transferring to Hinds Community College, where he 38
anchored one of the most dominant defensive units in junior 39
college football, leading the team to the top-ranked rushing 40
defense and the number two overall defense in the nation, earning 41
Junior College All-American honors and helping secure the 1994 42
Mississippi state championship; and 43
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WHEREAS, Mark's relentless pursuit of greatness carried him 44
to Auburn University, where he played defensive lineman for two 45
seasons before being selected in the seventh round of the 1997 46
National Football League Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, embarking 47
upon a six-year professional career that included four seasons 48
with the Cardinals and two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, 49
during which he recorded 191 total tackles, 20 sacks, two forced 50
fumbles, and earned All-Rookie Team honors, including a remarkable 51
nine-sack season in 1998 as the Cardinals advanced to the second 52
round of the playoffs; and 53
WHEREAS, though his achievements on the gridiron were 54
extraordinary, Mark's greatest victories were not measured in 55
sacks or statistics, but in the hearts he uplifted, the children 56
he encouraged, and the example he set as a proud son of Vicksburg, 57
of whom it was said, "He was a tremendous person...He had a 58
beautiful smile and he always had time to talk to the kids"; and 59
WHEREAS, following his retirement from professional football, 60
Mark continued to build legacy upon legacy, being inducted into 61
the Vicksburg-Warren School District Hall of Fame and the Hinds 62
Community College Sports Hall of Fame, and venturing into 63
entrepreneurship as the founder of Smith Construction, LLC, and 64
the proprietor of River City Cigars and Brew, one of the first 65
premium cigar establishments in Vicksburg, faithfully serving the 66
community for more than 12 years; and 67
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WHEREAS, a devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle, 68
mentor and friend, Mark carried himself with charismatic warmth, a 69
radiant smile and a generous spirit that reflected the words of 70
Proverbs 20:7, "The righteous man walketh in his integrity: his 71
children are blessed after him"; and 72
WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite 73
with those who answered God's summons before him, including his 74
beloved parents, grandparents, nephew Jamal Sims, special uncle 75
Kenny Ray Smith, and a host of loved ones, his legacy, if woven 76
into song, would rise as a triumphant hymn echoing through the 77
corridors of time, a refrain of perseverance, humility and 78
unwavering love that will forever be cherished in the hearts of 79
his survivors, including: children, Ivy Raheem, Mark Smith II, 80
Madison Smith, Milton Smith, Maximus Smith and Matthew Smith; 81
granddaughters, Maliah and Aaliah Smith; siblings, Raymond 82
(Sharde) Gray, Deidra (Arthur) Sims, Donna Smith, Veronica 83
Mitchell and Erica Smith; special aunt, Sadie Carson Clark; 84
special friends, Mary Morgan, Mary Cole, Naya Hopkins, Liron 85
Thomas, Reggie Moss, Farris Dotson, Jerry Walton, Johnny L. 86
Reynolds, Sr., Former Mayor George Flaggs, Fred Davenport, Tyrone 87
Jenkins, Garry Lewis, Grady Jackson; and a host of relatives, 88
teammates, colleagues and friends whose lives were enriched by his 89
presence; and 90
WHEREAS, we encourage his family to find solace in the 91
promise of Revelation 21:4, wherein it is recorded, "And God shall 92
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ST: Mark Anthony Smith, Sr.; commend life and
legacy upon his passing.
wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more 93
death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more 94
pain: for the former things are passed away," and to rest in the 95
assurance that Mark fought a good fight, finished his course and 96
kept the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand; and 97
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 98
take momentary pause to respectfully acknowledge the ember of 99
light that was the life of Mr. Mark Anthony Smith, Sr., whose 100
strength on the field, compassion in the community and faith in 101
God illuminated the paths of all who encountered him along this 102
earthly sojourn: 103
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 104
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 105
mourn the loss and commemorate the life, legacy and distinguished 106
service of Mr. Mark Anthony Smith, Sr., whose life was a beacon 107
upon the hill of Warren County, shining brightly for his family, 108
his community and his state, and express sincere and deepest 109
sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing. 110
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 111
furnished to the family of Mr. Mark Anthony Smith, Sr., and to the 112
members of the Capitol Press Corps. 113