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H. R. No. 62 *HR43/R2394* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Boyd (19th), Turner,
Bell (21st), Watson
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 62
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, 1
LEGACY AND SERVICE OF FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN JEROME 2
"JERRY" WILBURN, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, 3
FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY UPON HIS PASSING. 4
WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To 5
everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under 6
the Heaven," and as such, on January 13, 2026, the immaculate 7
author and finisher of our souls' destiny summoned the mortal 8
presence of the distinguished gentleman from Itawamba, former 9
State Representative Edwin Jerome "Jerry" Wilburn, to eternal 10
rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and 11
community; and 12
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and, particularly, the City 13
of Mantachie lost a loving husband, father, neighbor, fierce 14
advocate, loyal friend, community treasure and a real character 15
with the passing of Representative Wilburn, and there is now a 16
hush in our hearts as we pay our respects to the memory of one who 17
has been called to join that heavenly caravan; and 18
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WHEREAS, Representative Wilburn, the youngest of five 19
children, was born on September 18, 1940, to Elijah and Lula Wren 20
Wilburn on the west side of the Tombigbee River, and he remained a 21
proud Itawamba Countian for his entire life; and 22
WHEREAS, a member of the Mantachie High School Athletic Hall 23
of Fame and the Itawamba Community College Hall of Fame, 24
Representative Wilburn was a standout on the football field in his 25
high school years, and he went on to play football at Itawamba 26
Community College before attending Mississippi State University; 27
and 28
WHEREAS, Representative Wilburn served in the Mississippi 29
National Guard with unwavering love for both his state and his 30
country, and he represented the great people of his beloved 31
Itawamba County in the Mississippi House of Representatives; and 32
WHEREAS, known for his authenticity, comedic wit and 33
idiosyncratic rhetorical style, Representative Wilburn established 34
a legacy as an inimitable leader during his 20 years in the 35
Mississippi Legislature; and 36
WHEREAS, Representative Wilburn sponsored legislation to 37
create the North Mississippi Regional Center in Oxford, which has 38
provided a home for hundreds of children and adults with physical 39
and mental disabilities for over 50 years, and the Center recently 40
recognized his advocacy, vision and unwavering commitment to 41
improving the lives of others by dedicating the Jerry Wilburn 42
Memorial Bridge and Service Road on campus to him; and 43
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WHEREAS, countless individuals and families were impacted by 44
Representative Wilburn's contributions to his community, both as a 45
legislator and as a compassionate individual who used his annual 46
"13th check" from the state retirement system to fund the Wilburn 47
Family Foundation; and 48
WHEREAS, remembering his childhood years when he did not 49
always have shoes or fancy clothes, Representative Wilburn used 50
the Wilburn Family Fund to provide shoes and clothing at Christmas 51
for needy children in the Mantachie community for the last 29 52
years, most recently furnishing shoes and clothing for 92 kids on 53
Christmas; and 54
WHEREAS, Representative Wilburn has cemented his place in the 55
annals of the great Magnolia State's history through his 56
generosity, sincerity and determination to help the underdogs and 57
the downtrodden, and though we must go forward now alone, we carry 58
with us the lessons he taught us - the value of mirth, love for 59
our neighbor, and empathy, especially for those who are the least 60
among us; and 61
WHEREAS, absent from the body but present with the Lord, 62
Representative Wilburn has traversed the river of life to join in 63
heavenly reunion with his parents and his sisters, Lavelle Wilburn 64
Hinkle, Jettie Pearl Wilburn Bean and Edna Ellen "Toots" Wilburn 65
Wesson, as well as his oldest brother he never met, Quentin 66
Wilburn; and 67
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ST: Edwin Jerome "Jerry" Wilburn; commend life
and legacy upon his passing.
WHEREAS, the memory of Representative Wilburn's unconditional 68
love for his family will continue to refresh the hearts and 69
spirits of his survivors: his wife of 61 years, Margaret Ann 70
Silas; daughters, Bronson Prochaska (John) and Millie Wood 71
(Chuck); grandchildren, Matthew Prochaska (Catherine), Will Wood 72
(JoyBeth) and Carter Wood; great-grandchildren, Eli Prochaska, 73
Margaret Prochaska and Declan Wood; and a host of extended family 74
members, friends and neighbors; and 75
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 76
recognize and honor the lives of selfless Mississippians who 77
served the state with distinction, especially those such as 78
Representative Wilburn, one we proudly call our own, whose life's 79
light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along 80
this earthly sojourn: 81
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 82
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 83
mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of former State 84
Representative Edwin Jerome "Jerry" Wilburn, and express deepest 85
sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing. 86
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 87
furnished to the family of Representative Wilburn and to the 88
members of the Capitol Press Corps. 89