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2010 SESSION
10103121DWHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Samuel L. Varner, a respected citizen and beloved pastor, died on September 22, 2009; and
WHEREAS, a native of Alabama, Samuel Varner was born to loving parents, John Wil Varner and Louisiana Wilson Varner, on October 19, 1937; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Varner graduated from J.W. Darden High School in Alabama, received a bachelor’s degree from Livingstone College in North Carolina, a master’s degree from Interdenominational Theological Seminary, two additional master’s degrees, and a doctorate from Princeton University; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Varner also studied at Hood Seminary and served in Africa, Germany, France, and The Netherlands; he completed a two-year fellowship at Iona Abbey in Scotland, which began his fellowship with the United Church of Christ; and
WHEREAS, a loving husband and devoted father, Samuel Varner married the love of his life, Ruth Suggs, in 1966, and they had two wonderful sons, Seko-Benjamin and Daniel, and adopted a beautiful daughter, Elizabeth; and
WHEREAS, throughout his lifetime, Dr. Varner served the church with great faith, commitment, and distinction in various capacities in Brooklyn, New York; Columbus, Ohio; and Chesapeake, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, a caring and compassionate man, Dr. Varner also worked as a drug and alcohol clinician for the City of Chesapeake and shared his knowledge and experience as an adjunct professor at Thomas Nelson Community College and seminary professor at Regent University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Varner was one of the founders of the Uhuru African American Cultural Society, served as a personal advisor to the presidents of the Chesapeake branch of the NAACP, and, with his wife, began the first Kwanzaa celebration in the Hampton Roads area; and
WHEREAS, a talented and wise man, Dr. Varner leaves behind a legacy of selfless service to his family, friends, and community for others to emulate; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Varner will be sorely missed by his loving wife, Ruth; children, Elizabeth, Seko-Benjamin, and Daniel and their families; and his numerous friends and admirers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the loss of a fine pastor and outstanding Virginian, Reverend Dr. Samuel L. Varner; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Reverend Dr. Samuel L. Varner as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.