HLS 15RS-3568 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 104
BY REPRESENTATIVES BARROW, HONORE, JAMES, SMITH, AND ALFRED
WILLIAMS AND SENATORS BROOME AND DORSEY-COL OMB
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Deacon Lester Yancy
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Lester Yancy
3 of Baton Rouge.
4 WHEREAS, Lester Yancy was born September 17, 1919, in Tinus, Louisiana, the
5fourth of nine children descended from the union of Robert E. Yancy, Sr., and Effie Jane
6Gordon Yancy; and
7 WHEREAS, Lester Yancy followed in the footsteps of his mother and became a
8lifelong educator and administrator; he answered the call of duty to the United States Army
9and served in Germany in World War II, and upon his discharge, he earned a bachelor's
10degree from Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1947; and
11 WHEREAS, an outstanding football player under Coach A. W. Mumford, Lester
12Yancy was inducted into the Southern University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989; and
13 WHEREAS, Lester Yancy married Susie Bell, a teacher, who was the love of his life
14and who shared his vision and worked with him to advance the education of students in East
15Baton Rouge Parish; they were blessed with two children, Althea and Eldred; and
16 WHEREAS, Lester Yancy understood the power and importance of education in
17molding young lives for success, and his love for learning drove him to complete a master's
18degree and an educational specialist degree at Michigan State University; and
19 WHEREAS, Lester Yancy served as principal at Port Hudson Elementary School for
20two years and at Alsen Elementary School for eighteen years; and for one year before his
21retirement, Mr. Yancy served as principal at Goodwood Elementary, becoming the first
Page 1 of 3 HLS 15RS-3568 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 104
1African American principal at an integrated school in East Baton Rouge Parish; in all, Lester
2Yancy devoted thirty-three years of his career in education to improving the academic lives
3of students in East Baton Rouge Parish; and
4 WHEREAS, Lester Yancy was the first principal of Ryan Elementary School, and
5he established a foundation for the school; Ryan Elementary School was named a National
6Blue Ribbon School in 2010 and in recognition of Mr. Yancy's contributions to the school,
7the library was named Lester B. Yancy Library and Media Center in 2013; and
8 WHEREAS, long after his retirement, Lester Yancy maintained his lifework of
9mentoring young people with these words: "Stay in school and have good attendance, try to
10get your lesson instead of being distracted, and don't waste time"; and
11 WHEREAS, Lester Yancy received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early
12age and joined the fellowship of St. Helena Baptist Church in Greensburg, where he carried
13out his Christian assignment in the deacon ministry; Deacon Yancy served in this ministry
14for more than sixty years, and for more than thirty years, he served as treasurer for the Amite
15River Baptist Association; and
16 WHEREAS, Deacon Yancy was a dedicated and faithful servant to the community
17who participated in many professional and civic organizations; he was a member of the
18Louisiana Association of School Executives, the Louisiana Education Association, and the
19Baton Rouge Early Risers Kiwanis Club; and while his passing leaves a void that cannot be
20easily nor quickly filled, Deacon Lester Yancy's legacy of care and compassion for his
21family and for the education of children in the parish will forever remain in the hearts and
22minds of those who knew and loved him.
23 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
24Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere condolences to the family and friends
25of Deacon Lester Yancy of Baton Rouge in the passing of their loved one; does hereby
26acknowledge the great and manifold contributions of this educational giant to the community
27of East Baton Rouge Parish; and does hereby offer prayers and hopes for peace in the words
28of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 5:4: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
29comforted".
Page 2 of 3 HLS 15RS-3568 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 104
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
2to the family of Deacon Lester Yancy.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 104 Original 2015 Regular Session Barrow
Expresses condolences upon the passing of Deacon Lester Yancy of Baton Rouge.
Page 3 of 3