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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Taylor, Karriem,
Osborne, Roberson, Sanders
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 81
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JOHELEN "JOEY" 1
WALKER ON HER HISTORIC ELECTION AS THE FIRST WOMAN AND AFRICAN 2
AMERICAN TO SERVE AS TAX ASSESSOR AND COLLECTOR OF OKTIBBEHA 3
COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 4
WHEREAS, JoHelen "Joey" Walker, a lifelong resident of 5
northeast Mississippi, made history in the Magnolia State in 6
November of 2023 when she broke both gender and racial barriers by 7
being the first woman and first African American elected to the 8
Office of Tax Assessor and Collector of Oktibbeha County, 9
Mississippi; and 10
WHEREAS, born and raised in the Starkville community, Ms. 11
Walker, fondly called "Joey" by her family and friends, graduated 12
from Starkville High School before furthering her education at 13
East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi University for 14
Women; and 15
WHEREAS, although she grew up at a time when the majority of 16
leadership roles in Oktibbeha County were overwhelmingly held by 17
white men and opportunities for women, particularly 18
African-American women, were severely limited, Ms. Walker 19
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developed an early understanding of the importance of economic 20
empowerment and civic participation; and 21
WHEREAS, Ms. Walker, with 10 years experience in Lowndes 22
County and 14 years in Starkville as deputy clerk, followed her 23
own sage advice that she frequently shares with young leaders to 24
"be the change that you want to see" when she decided to enter the 25
race for Tax Assessor and Collector; and 26
WHEREAS, known for her deep commitment to public service, 27
fairness and accountability, Ms. Walker considers taxation to be 28
more about people than merely collecting payments for car tags and 29
property taxes, and as tax assessor and collector, she is 30
entrusted with overseeing property assessments, ensuring fair and 31
equitable tax valuations, managing tax collection operations, and 32
safeguarding public revenues that fund schools, infrastructure and 33
essential services; and 34
WHEREAS, in her first term at the helm of the tax assessor 35
and collector's office, Ms. Walker, often described by her 36
coworkers as meticulous, principled and deeply community oriented, 37
has helped modernize office operations, increase public 38
confidence, and ensure that all citizens of Oktibbeha County are 39
treated with dignity and transparency; and 40
WHEREAS, beyond the tax assessor and collector's office, Ms. 41
Walker, a mother of two and grandmother of four, embodies the 42
belief that public service is a calling grounded in trust, and she 43
is an inspiration to young women and African Americans in 44
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Starkville and throughout Oktibbeha County as the epitome of 45
perseverance and progress through hard work; and 46
WHEREAS, Ms. Walker's tenure as the Oktibbeha County Tax 47
Assessor and Collector has clearly demonstrated that inclusive 48
leadership strengthens institutions, and by maintaining the 49
highest professional standards, she has reshaped perceptions of 50
who can lead in county government while successfully fulfilling 51
her duties; and 52
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 53
recognize outstanding Mississippians such as JoHelen "Joey" 54
Walker, a trailblazing public servant whose legacy of principled 55
leadership and encouragement for governmental participation among 56
underrepresented communities is a shining example of barriers 57
being challenged, leading to doors being opened for those willing 58
to follow, a powerful symbol of progress in the Magnolia State's 59
ever evolving civic landscape: 60
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 61
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 62
commend and congratulate JoHelen "Joey" Walker on her historic 63
election as the first woman and African American to serve as the 64
Tax Assessor and Collector of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, and 65
extend sincerest wishes for continued success in all her future 66
endeavors. 67
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ST: JoHelen "Joey" Walker; commend on being
first female and African-American elected
Oktibbeha County Tax Assessor/Collector.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 68
furnished to Oktibbeha County Tax Assessor and Collector JoHelen 69
"Joey" Walker and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 70