HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 277 Offered February 7, 2006 Celebrating the life of Edna Joyce. ----------
Patrons-- Alexander, Howell, A.T., Joannou, Lewis, Melvin and Miller; Senators: Miller and Rerras
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WHEREAS, Edna Joyce of Norfolk, a beloved citizen and a member of the work force that planted the Norfolk Botanical Garden, died on January 6, 2006; and

WHEREAS, a native of Norfolk, Edna Joyce was born June 9, 1918, educated in the Norfolk Public School System, and graduated from the Licensed Practical Nurse School of Booker T. Washington; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated nurse, Edna Joyce was employed at both Norfolk Community Hospital and Norfolk General Hospital during her career; and

WHEREAS, Edna Joyce is best known and celebrated for her back-breaking work as a planter for a garden beautification project under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, which provided economic relief to citizens suffering through the Great Depression; and

WHEREAS, as a teenager, Edna Joyce and 199 other African-American women and 20 African-American men were hired to clear and plant 30 acres of land around Mirror Lake, and for four years they cleared trees, pulled roots, and planted numerous varieties of azaleas and flowers in what was known in 1938 as the Norfolk Azalea Gardens; and

WHEREAS, Edna Joyce is thought to have been the last surviving planter to work in the Norfolk Azalea Gardens, which is now the renowned Norfolk Botanical Gardens; and

WHEREAS, Edna Joyce was one of the youngest members of the WPA project and was nicknamed "Baby" by her coworkers; and

WHEREAS, Edna Joyce's account of her contributions to the garden was the highlight of Ruffner Academy’s Community Problem Solving Team; the team consisted of 6th through 10th grade students who spent two years researching the history of the Norfolk Botanical Garden; and

WHEREAS, the students' project, “Digging into Repressed Times,” or DIRT, won top honors at the International Conference of Problem Solving in Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, in December 2004, Edna Joyce returned to the Norfolk Botanical Garden for only the second time since her work there, toured the gardens, and was photographed for the Virginian-Pilot’s “African American Today's” special January section; and

WHEREAS, a design competition is underway for a permanent work of art to honor and commemorate the historic work of Edna Joyce and all of the WPA planters, and the winning art will be dedicated in 2008 on the garden’s 70th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Edna Joyce was concerned for citizens in need in the community and generously gave her time and talents as an active member of the Southside Civic League, the Salvation Army Ladies Home League, and the United Order of Tents; and

WHEREAS, in her later years, Edna Joyce became "Mama Joyce," the matriarch of a huge family and cherished by all who knew her, and she will be missed by her family, her numerous friends and admirers, and the citizens of the City of Norfolk and the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Edna Joyce; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Edna Joyce as an expression of the General Assembly’s great respect for her memory.