SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22 Celebrating the life of Willie Etta Fayton.   Agreed to by the Senate, January 17, 2008 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 25, 2008  

WHEREAS, Willie Etta Fayton of Virginia Beach, a beloved citizen and community benefactor, died on July 13, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Willie Etta Fayton was born on July 10, 1917, the daughter of the late James Herbert and Adlener Knight Clark of Drum Hill, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, on February 18, 1935, Willie Etta Fayton married the now late Deacon William Henry Fayton, Sr., and the couple settled in the Titustown community of Norfolk, enjoyed a long and wonderful marriage, and raised seven daughters and three sons; and

WHEREAS, throughout her life, Willie Etta Fayton served the church in countless capacities, as an inspirational Sunday School teacher and pianist; as a member of the missionary board and the Mother’s board; and she was the longtime church mother of the Temple of Faith Church of God in Christ (COGIC) under the leadership of her son, the late Pastor William H. Fayton, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Mother Fayton was the wise and nurturing matriarch of her large family, as well as her extended family in COGIC, and she tirelessly attended to the needs of her community and her loved ones; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Willie Etta Fayton served her community with devotion and enthusiasm and received numerous accolades and awards for her outstanding service, including the Titustown Civic League’s Mother of the Year Award, of which she was especially proud; and

WHEREAS, Willie Etta Fayton was a faithful member of the New Hope COGIC in Norfolk, was active in the church’s many missions in the community, and was appointed president of the State Prayer Warriors under the Honorable Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Willie Etta Fayton will be fondly remembered for her limitless capacity for love and patience, especially with young people, and greatly missed by her children Audrey, Vivian, Barbara, Betty, Herbert, Floyd, Geraldine, Patricia, and Gail; her 38 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great-grandchildren; her two sisters-in-law Alice and Verta Mae; her many other loving family members and friends; and the congregation of New Hope Church COGIC; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a community benefactor and outstanding Virginian, Willie Etta Fayton; and, be it

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

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled December 28, 2007 Celebrating the life of Willie Etta Fayton. ---------- Patron-- Miller, Y.B. ----------

WHEREAS, Willie Etta Fayton of Virginia Beach, a beloved citizen and community benefactor, died on July 13, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Willie Etta Fayton was born on July 10, 1917, the daughter of the late James Herbert and Adlener Knight Clark of Drum Hill, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, on February 18, 1935, Willie Etta Fayton married the late Deacon William Henry Fayton, Sr., and the couple settled in the Titustown community of Norfolk, enjoyed a long and wonderful marriage, and raised seven daughters and three sons; and

WHEREAS, throughout her life, Willie Etta Fayton served the church in countless capacities, as an inspirational Sunday school teacher and pianist; as a member of the missionary board and the Mother’s board; and she was the longtime church mother of the Temple of Faith God in Christ (COGIC) under the leadership of her son, the late Pastor William H. Fayton, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Mother Fayton was the wise and nurturing matriarch of her large family, as well as her extended family in COGIC, and she tirelessly attended to the needs of her community and her loved ones; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Willie Etta Fayton served her community with devotion and enthusiasm and received numerous accolades and awards for her outstanding service, including the Titustown Civic League's Mother of the Year Award, of which she was especially proud; and

WHEREAS, Willie Etta Fayton was a faithful member of the New Hope COGIC in Norfolk, was active in the church's many missions in the community, and was appointed president of the State Prayer Warriors under the honorable Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Willie Etta Fayton will be fondly remembered for her limitless capacity for love and patience, especially with young people, and greatly missed by her children Audrey, Vivian, Barbara, Betty, Herbert, Floyd, Geraldine, Patricia, and Gail; her 38 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great-grandchildren; her two sisters-in-law Alice and Verta Mae; her many other loving family members and friends; and the congregation of New Hope Church COGIC; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a community benefactor and outstanding Virginian, Willie Etta Fayton ; and, be it

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