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