SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 497 Offered February 9, 2007 Celebrating the life of Mildred Lee Copeland Gilliam. ---------- Patrons-- Marsh, Lucas and Quayle ----------

WHEREAS, Mildred Lee Copeland Gilliam, born on November 10, 1928, gave up this mortal life on August 30, 2006; and

WHEREAS, a native daughter, Mildred Lee Copeland Gilliam was reared in Norfolk where she attended the Norfolk City Public Schools and graduated from I. C. Norcom High School with honors; and

WHEREAS, she was a graduate of Norfolk State University and Virginia State University, and completed additional studies at Old Dominion University; and

WHEREAS, Mildred Lee Copeland Gilliam devoted her life to educating Virginia's school children and spent many years as a classroom teacher in the Portsmouth public school system; and

WHEREAS, she gave liberally of her time and talents to various religious, community, and professional interests, including serving as Past Matron of the Queen of Sheba #28 Order of the Eastern Star, and the Tidewater President of the Virginia Lung Association; she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels Program; and a committed and diligent servant of the Lord at the Mount Hermon Baptist Temple, where she served as a missionary, Sunday School teacher, Director of Baptist Training Union (BTU), Director of Vacation Bible School, President of the Deaconess Board, and member of the Golden Age Club; and

WHEREAS, her memory will be cherished by her family, friends, colleagues, former students, and all who knew and loved her; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Mildred Lee Copeland Gilliam; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Mildred Lee Copeland Gilliam as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.