SR1: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell.


SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, January 11, 2018

 

WHEREAS, the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell, a dedicated public servant who made history as the first African American to be elected to a constitutional office in the City of Chesapeake when she became Clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court, died on May 24, 2017; and

WHEREAS, a native of Ahoskie, North Carolina, Faye Mitchell received a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University; she began her career in court administration in 1995 after more than 20 years as a technology professional in both the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, Faye Mitchell joined the Chesapeake Circuit Court of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Virginia as manager of the civil and criminal divisions and was later appointed as Clerk of the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the 1st Judicial District of Virginia, becoming the first African American to hold that position; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, Faye Mitchell ran for and was elected as Clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court, where she ably served the residents of Chesapeake until the time of her passing; she enhanced the office through her background in the computer field, adopting innovative technology to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the court; and

WHEREAS, as Clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court, Faye Mitchell was responsible for management of land records, probate and estate planning, and court records; she touched the lives of many local residents and was a valued mentor and friend to her fellow court employees; and

WHEREAS, a woman who was guided by her faith, Faye Mitchell enjoyed fellowship and worship with the other members of the community at First Baptist Church South Hill; she was deeply involved with civic organizations, including the Rotary Club of Chesapeake, where she worked with the Paint Your Heart Out team to clean, paint, and repair homes in the area; and

WHEREAS, Faye Mitchell earned many awards and accolades for her good work, including the 2009 Marian P. Whitehurst Women in Leadership Award and the 2012 Woman of the Year Award from the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Faye Mitchell will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her loving husband of 37 years, Bud; children, Brian and Nikki, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell, Clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court and a highly respected member of the Chesapeake community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for her memory.

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1

Offered January 10, 2018
Prefiled December 8, 2017
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell.
Patron-- Spruill

WHEREAS, the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell, a dedicated public servant who made history as the first African American to be elected to a constitutional office in the City of Chesapeake when she became clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court, died on May 24, 2017; and

WHEREAS, a native of Ahoskie, North Carolina, Faye Mitchell received a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University; she began her career in court administration in 1995 after more than 20 years as a technology professional in both the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, Faye Mitchell joined the Chesapeake Circuit Court of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Virginia as manager of the civil and criminal divisions and was later appointed as clerk of the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the 1st Judicial District of Virginia, becoming the first African American to hold that position; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, Faye Mitchell ran for and was elected as clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court, where she ably served the residents of Chesapeake until the time of her passing; she enhanced the office through her background in the computer field, adopting innovative technology to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the court; and

WHEREAS, as clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court, Faye Mitchell was responsible for management of land records, probate and estate planning, and court records; she touched the lives of many local residents and was a valued mentor and friend to her fellow court employees; and

WHEREAS, a woman who was guided by her faith, Faye Mitchell enjoyed fellowship and worship with the other members of the community at First Baptist Church South Hill; she was deeply involved with civic organizations, including the Rotary Club of Chesapeake, where she worked with the Paint Your Heart Out team to clean, paint, and repair homes in the area; and

WHEREAS, Faye Mitchell earned many awards and accolades for her good work, including the 2009 Marian P. Whitehurst Women in Leadership Award and the 2012 Woman of the Year Award from the Hamptons Roads Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Faye Mitchell will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her loving husband of 37 years, Bud; children, Brian and Nikki, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell, clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court and a highly respected member of the Chesapeake community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Faye Delores Watford Mitchell as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for her memory.