Senate Resolution No. 2663

BY: Senator KENNEDY

CELEBRATING the life of Mamie Lang Kirkland,
second oldest person in New York State, beloved
mother and grandmother, and pillar in her community

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Mamie Lang Kirkland, an extraordinary woman
of indomitable faith and dedication whose purposeful life will long
serve as a standard to which others might aspire; and

WHEREAS, Mamie Lang Kirkland of Buffalo, New York, passed away on
Saturday, December 28, 2019, at the age of 111 years and 116 days; and

WHEREAS, Mamie Lang was born on September 3, 1908, to Edward and
Rochelle Lang in Ellisville, Mississippi; after much adversity, the
family moved to East St. Louis, Missouri, and then Alliance, Ohio, where
her parents ran a boarding house; and

WHEREAS, She married one of the boarders, Albert Kirkland, and
together, they moved to Buffalo in 1924, and raised nine children; after
his death in 1959, she became a sales representative for Avon, a
position she continued to hold at the age of 107; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, Mamie Lang Kirkland returned to her birthplace
after her son made a documentary film, "100 Years from Mississippi,"
which described his mother's family's flight from post-Civil War
Mississippi; in 2016, she proudly proclaimed she was no longer a scared
little girl as she received the Lynching Legacy Award by the Equal
Justice Initiative; and

WHEREAS, Three years later, this brave and strong woman was
recognized as the oldest lynching survivor at the opening of the Legacy
Museum and the Peace and Justice memorial in Montgomery, Alabama; today,
individuals can learn about her family's strength and endurance through
photographs and an oral history; and

WHEREAS, Proud of being an American, Mamie Lang Kirkland has always
appreciated her right to vote, and throughout her 111 years, she has
seen democracy in action as 20 different citizens have held the
country's highest office of President; and

WHEREAS, Mamie Lang Kirkland was an active and treasured member of
her community where she was a faithful congregant of First Shiloh
Baptist Church for more than 85 years; this devout Christian always
showed great strength and selflessness, and spent countless hours
offering her love, support and guidance to the children and people in
her life, acting as a role model and inspiring them to develop to their
fullest potential; and

WHEREAS, Mamie Lang Kirkland loved the color purple and jewelry, and
lit up the room when she walked in; with her bright and warm smile, and
her contagious laughter, she instantly made everyone around her feel
welcome and comfortable; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by her husband, Mamie Lang Kirkland is survived
by her four daughters, Juanita Hunter, Beatrice Kirkland, Margaret
Kirkland, and Jeanette Clinton; one son, Tarabu Betserai Kirkland; and
158 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as numerous friends
and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Through her boundless love and profound words of wisdom,
Mamie Lang Kirkland's legacy of true grace and luminous beauty, inside
and out, will shine on through her family's vivid and happy memories;
her shining light and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love
and hope for all who were privileged to have known and loved such an
amazing and dynamic woman; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life of Mamie Lang Kirkland, second oldest person in New
York State, beloved mother and grandmother, and pillar in her community;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Mamie Lang Kirkland.