HJ332: Celebrating the life of LaVonne Parker Ellis.
WHEREAS, LaVonne Parker Ellis, a beloved mother, distinguished educator, and respected Chesapeake resident who was a former member of the Commonwealth’s State Board for Community Colleges, died on February 8, 2018; and
WHEREAS, born in Rich Square, North Carolina, LaVonne Ellis attended public schools in Northampton County, North Carolina, and then earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampton Institute in 1964 and a master’s degree from Old Dominion University in 1970; and
WHEREAS, a talented and compassionate educator, LaVonne Ellis began her career teaching business courses at I.C. Norcom High School and Cradock High School in Portsmouth; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, LaVonne Ellis joined the faculty of Tidewater Community College; during her 27-year tenure, she taught thousands of students, chaired the Student Development Committee, and held numerous leadership and club advisory positions; and
WHEREAS, LaVonne Ellis retired from teaching in 2001 and embarked on a new career as an independent insurance agent, selling policies for various providers; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, LaVonne Ellis was appointed to the first of two four-year terms on the Tidewater Community College Board; she eventually served as board chair, vice chair, and as a member of the Advocacy and Advancement Committee and the Resource Development Committee; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 2012, LaVonne Ellis served a four-year appointment on the State Board for Community Colleges, acting as Tidewater Community College’s state board liaison; and
WHEREAS, along with her service to higher education, LaVonne Ellis was involved with the Tidewater Depression Glass Club, the National Hampton Alumni Association, the National Association of Parliamentarians, and the Tidewater Funeral Directors Association; and
WHEREAS, LaVonne Ellis was active in civic and government affairs and was a longtime supporter of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Republican Party of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, LaVonne Ellis enjoyed fellowship and worship at First Baptist Church in Norfolk, where she sang in the choir, worked on the Scholarship Ministry, chaired the Scholarship Luncheon, and served on the board of Shepherd’s Village at Park Avenue assisted living facility; and
WHEREAS, throughout her long and distinguished career, LaVonne Ellis touched the lives of numerous students and made valuable contributions to the development of the Commonwealth’s community college system; in recognition of her outstanding service, Tidewater Community College established the LaVonne P. Ellis Scholarship, which is given annually to a Chesapeake high school student in her honor; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Holland, LaVonne Ellis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her son, Hollis, as well as numerous other family members, friends, and former colleagues; 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 LaVonne Parker Ellis, a dedicated teacher who helped advance higher education in the Commonwealth; 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 LaVonne Parker Ellis as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 332
WHEREAS, LaVonne Parker Ellis, a beloved mother, distinguished educator, and respected Chesapeake resident who was a former member of the Commonwealth’s State Board for Community Colleges, died on February 8, 2018; and
WHEREAS, born in Rich Square, North Carolina, LaVonne Ellis attended public schools in Northampton County, North Carolina, and then earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampton Institute in 1964 and a master’s degree from Old Dominion University in 1970; and
WHEREAS, a talented and compassionate educator, LaVonne Ellis began her career teaching business courses at I.C. Norcom High School and Cradock High School in Portsmouth; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, LaVonne Ellis joined the faculty of Tidewater Community College; during her 27-year tenure, she taught thousands of students, chaired the Student Development Committee, and held numerous leadership and club advisory positions; and
WHEREAS, LaVonne Ellis retired from teaching in 2001 and embarked on a new career as an independent insurance agent, selling policies for various providers; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, LaVonne Ellis was appointed to the first of two four-year terms on Tidewater Community College Board; she eventually served as board chair, vice-chair, and as a member of the Advocacy and Advancement Committee and the Resource Development Committee; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 2012, LaVonne Ellis served a four-year appointment on the State Board for Community Colleges, acting as Tidewater Community College’s state board liaison; and
WHEREAS, along with her service to higher education, LaVonne Ellis was involved with the Tidewater Depression Glass Club, the National Hampton Alumni Association, the National Association of Parliamentarians, and the Tidewater Funeral Directors Association; and
WHEREAS, LaVonne Ellis was also active in civic and government affairs and was a longtime supporter of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Republican Party of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, LaVonne Ellis enjoyed fellowship and worship at First Baptist Church in Norfolk, where she sang in the choir, worked on the Scholarship Ministry, chaired the Scholarship Luncheon, and served on the board of Shepherd’s Village at Park Avenue assisted living facility; and
WHEREAS, throughout her long and distinguished career, LaVonne Ellis touched the lives of numerous students and made valuable contributions to the development of the Commonwealth’s community college system; in recognition of her outstanding service, Tidewater Community College established the LaVonne P. Ellis Scholarship, which is given annually to a Chesapeake high school student in her honor; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Holland, LaVonne Ellis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her son, Hollis, as well as numerous other family members, friends, and former colleagues; 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 LaVonne Parker Ellis, a dedicated teacher who helped advance higher education in the Commonwealth; 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 LaVonne Parker Ellis as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.