HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 255 Offered January 18, 2008 Celebrating the life of Rhoda Brown Sisisky. ----------
Patrons-- Hall, Alexander, Dance, Jones, D.C., Loupassi, McClellan, Morrissey, O'Bannon, Shannon, Spruill, Tyler, Ward and Ware, O.; Senators: Deeds and McEachin
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WHEREAS, Rhoda Brown Sisisky, an admired and beloved citizen and community benefactor, died on May 10, 2007; and

WHEREAS, a Richmond native and the only child of Celia S. and Isadore Brown, Rhoda Brown grew up in the city and learned the importance of strong family values from her parents; she attended Thomas Jefferson High School and Westhampton College; and

WHEREAS, instead of finishing college, Rhoda Brown decided to marry her one and only love, the handsome Navy veteran, Norman Sisisky, in 1949; and

WHEREAS, by 1961, Rhoda Sisisky had moved to Petersburg with her husband and four young sons, where the family owned and operated Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Petersburg, Inc., and Lee Distributing Company, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, together Rhoda and Norman Sisisky created a rewarding life together, which included a prosperous family business, a beautiful and loving family, and a commitment to public service for her husband as a state delegate and a congressman; and

WHEREAS, always willing to reach out to help others, Rhoda Sisisky was a faithful member of Congregation Brith Achim, where she served as president of the Sisterhood, taught religious school, and was active in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Rhoda Sisisky was a dedicated supporter of the local Jewish community and those of America and abroad, in Israel and throughout the world, and she supported charities involving the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Temple Beth-El, the Carol and Marcus Weinstein Jewish Community Center, and the Council for America's First Freedom; and

WHEREAS, always involved and ready to learn and explore, Rhoda Sisisky loved to travel with her entire family for fun and relaxation, as well as with her husband on both business trips and congressional delegations; and

WHEREAS, an inspiration to her family, Rhoda Sisisky was a loving mother to her four sons, Mark, Terry, Richard, and Stuart; a life partner and devoted wife of 52 years to her late husband, Norman; and a doting grandmother to her nine grandchildren, Joy, Jonathan, Clare, Zach, Samantha,, Blair, Kendall, Daniel, and Andrew; and

 WHEREAS, though very traditional in many ways, Rhoda Sisisky also led an exciting and fulfilling life, as a political wife, grand hostess, and exceptional mother, grandmother, and caregiver, and did so with great balance, compassion, and enormous love; and

WHEREAS, Rhoda Sisisky will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her loving family, her countless friends and admirers, and the members of Congregation Brith Achim; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the passing of a vibrant woman and outstanding Virginian, Rhoda Brown Sisisky; 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 Rhoda Brown Sisisky as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.