HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 936 Offered February 16, 2007 Celebrating the life of James Robert Bennett. ---------- Patrons-- Jones, S.C.; Senator: Quayle ----------

WHEREAS, James Robert Bennett of Suffolk, a retired pastor and respected citizen, died on January 28, 2007; and

WHEREAS, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, James Bennett served in the armed forces during World War II and in 1964, he moved his family to the community of Driver in the northern part of the City of Suffolk; and

WHEREAS, James Bennett served as the pastor of Berea Christian Church in Driver for over 17 years, and after he retired from that congregation, he began preaching at Mount Carmel Christian Church, also in Driver; and

WHEREAS, shortly after moving to Driver, James Bennett joined the Driver Volunteer Fire Department and over the years he served as its chief, parliamentarian, and chaplain; and

WHEREAS, always concerned for the well-being of others and intent on contributing to the community, James Bennett was a member and chairman of the Nansemond County School Board, an occasional substitute teacher, and an active participant in the Ruritan Club; and

WHEREAS, James Bennett will be remembered for his kindness and strong sense of ethics and will be sorely missed by his wife, Rosamond, their daughter, June, and their granddaughter, Scarlett, and many other dear friends and supporters in the community of Driver; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of James Robert Bennett; 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 James Robert Bennett as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.