WHEREAS, Gatha Richardson, an educator and a passionate advocate for children who made countless contributions to the Halifax County community, died on May 13, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Gatha Richardson attended Halifax Training School, where he was a standout member of the basketball team, serving as captain during his junior and senior years; he was inducted into the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame for his athletic achievements in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Gatha Richardson served the nation in the military from 1953 to 1955, then graduated from St. Paul's College in 1959; he briefly worked in Alexandria before answering his calling to become a teacher; and

WHEREAS, Gatha Richardson worked at County Line Elementary School, then Sinai Elementary School, where he taught multiple subjects and eventually became principal; he finished his career as principal of Wilson Memorial Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement as an educator, Gatha Richardson continued to serve young people as a cofounder of the Halifax County Mentor Role Model Program, which supports at-risk children through meaningful, personal relationships with an adult mentor to prevent substance abuse and juvenile delinquency and promote academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, Gatha Richardson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members, friends, and children whose lives he touched as an educator and a positive role model; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Gatha Richardson; 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 Gatha Richardson as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.