Bill Text: VA SJR331 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Frances Mae West Byers.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-04-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ331ER) [SJR331 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SJR331-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Frances Mae West Byers, a vibrant member of the Ashland and Louisa communities, celebrated her 104th birthday on January 25, 2019; and
WHEREAS, born in Montpelier in 1915, Frances Byers was a witness to many of the seminal events of the 20th century, from the Great Depression and World War II to the moon landing and the dawn of the Internet era; and
WHEREAS, Frances Byers grew up living at Scotchtown, the historic former home of the first Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry; at the age of 14, she left school to help support her family during the Great Depression and became a talented seamstress who made clothes for many people in her community; and
WHEREAS, in 1932, Frances Byers married her husband John, and the couple went on to raise seven children who have succeeded in many professions, the military, and public office; she is the proud matriarch of 28 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and 34 great-great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Frances and John Byers worked as tenant farmers in the area until 1950, when they purchased a small farm of their own, where she still resides; and
WHEREAS, Frances Byers has generously volunteered her time to help the less fortunate in the community; she worked at a nursing care facility in Ashland for 16 years and she makes regular phone calls to check up on old neighbors and friends; and
WHEREAS, for more than 20 years, Frances Byers has served as a treasured local historian, sharing her wealth of knowledge about the history and heritage of Ashland and Hanover County as a speaker for local groups; and
WHEREAS, guided by her deep and abiding faith, Frances Byers enjoys fellowship and worship at Emmanuel Holiness Church, where she shares her wisdom with the congregation as the last living charter member; she has served as a deaconess, missionary secretary, and Sunday school teacher, and hosts a Bible study in her home every week; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Frances Mae West Byers on the occasion of her 104th birthday in 2019; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Frances Mae West Byers as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for her contributions to the Ashland community.
