HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 62 Offered February 20, 2007 Celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. Clarence James Word. ---------- Patrons-- Jones, S.C., Joannou and Spruill; Senator: Quayle ----------

WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Clarence James Word, a beloved pastor and a longtime leader in the Suffolk community, died on January 31, 2007; and

WHEREAS, a native of Halifax County, Clarence James “C. J.” Word was born to James Word and Nannie Wolmack Word on February 22, 1909; and

WHEREAS, C. J. Word received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a bachelor’s of sacred theology, later designated as a master’s of divinity degree, from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, and he was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Virginia University of Lynchburg, what is now the Virginia Seminary and College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Word served as the dean of the theological school at Virginia Seminary and College from 1936 to 1939; and

WHEREAS, in 1939, Dr. Word was called to serve as the pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, where he faithfully ministered to his congregation until retiring in 1982 as pastor emeritus; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as minister of East End Baptist Church, Dr. Word organized the Youth Recreational Program, the Board of Christian Education, the Stewardship Program, and the Last End Day Care Center; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Word was the founder and first president of the Nansemond Credit Union, which was the first state-chartered credit union in the City of Suffolk; and he also served on the board of directors and as an officer of many civic organizations, including the Suffolk NAACP, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, the Suffolk Bi-Centennial Committee, the Tri-County Mental Health Association, the Suffolk Ministers Council, The Salvation Army, the Suffolk Social Services Advisory Committee, the American Lung Association, and the Suffolk Civic Forum; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Word was instrumental in bringing scouting to Suffolk for the development and enjoyment of African-American boys; he served as chairman of the Boy Scout District Committee and was awarded the Silver Beaver for his service to youth in the community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Word helped establish the Word-Wyche-Pankey-West Scholarship Fund, Inc., which has awarded over $40,000 in scholarships to help underprivileged Suffolk children attend college; and

WHEREAS, among his many accolades, Dr. Word was honored by Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Phi Alpha, and Omega Psi Phi fraternities and was awarded the Outstanding Citizenship Award by Chi Eta Phi Sorority; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Word will be fondly remembered for his compassionate and generous nature and greatly missed by his wife of 61 years, Addie Moore Word; his daughter Shirley and her husband Leslie; his two wonderful grandchildren; numerous other loving family members and friends; and the congregation of East End Baptist Church; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine community benefactor and outstanding Virginian, the Reverend Dr. Clarence James Word; 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 the Reverend Dr. Clarence James Word as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.