WHEREAS, Irma Dolores Shortt Minton Ross of Mechanicsville, a successful entrepreneur and a beloved member of the community, died on April 15, 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of Richmond, Dolores Ross grew up in the Highland Park and Bellevue neighborhoods and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School; and

WHEREAS, after earning a degree in fashion merchandising from Richmond Professional Institute, Dolores Ross began her career at Hofheimer's and relished opportunities to meet and interact with customers; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, Dolores Ross and her husband, Edward, purchased Hammond Organ and Piano Company and operated it for more than two decades; she later expanded her love of collecting antiques as the owner of two antique shops, At-Last in Lakeside and Antique Village in Mechanicsville, where she worked until the age of 85; and

WHEREAS, possessed of a servant's heart, Dolores Ross volunteered her time to plan and organize special events at Luther Memorial School, where her sons attended, and she was a past president of the Battery Park Woman's Club and a former chair of the Boys' Club of Richmond's International Food Festival; and

WHEREAS, Dolores Ross enjoyed fellowship and worship with the Mechanicsville community as a member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her first husband, Mills Minton, and second husband, Edward Ross, Dolores Ross will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her sons, Doug Minton, Dennis Minton, Danny Minton, and David Ross, and their families; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Irma Dolores Shortt Minton Ross; 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 Irma Dolores Shortt Minton Ross as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.