SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2011 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 398
Celebrating the life of Emyl Jenkins.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 27, 2011
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 4, 2011
 

WHEREAS, Emyl Jenkins, a beloved writer and internationally known antiques appraiser from Richmond, died on April 27, 2010; and

WHEREAS, born Mary Louise Joslin in Charlotte, North Carolina, on June 26, 1941, Emyl Jenkins was the loving daughter of Asher Langdon Joslin and Mildred Eloise Brockwell; and

WHEREAS, after spending her childhood and youth in Danville, Emyl Jenkins received a bachelor’s degree from Mary Washington College and honed her writing skills with a master’s degree in English from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a gifted teacher, Emyl Jenkins taught at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville before moving to Wisconsin and then North Carolina, where she began to work with antiques as an appraiser; and

WHEREAS, an internationally recognized authority, Emyl Jenkins combined her love of antiques and writing into a successful career that began with the book, Why You’re Richer Than You Think; it attracted national attention and led to her appearance on “Good Morning America” for three days; and

WHEREAS, fueled by a fascination with the stories behind antiques, Emyl Jenkins went on to author several more books, including Southern Christmas and Southern Hospitality; magazine articles; and a monthly column for Arts & Antiques Magazine before she penned prize-winning detective novels that featured an antiques appraiser as the heroine; and

WHEREAS, Emyl Jenkins moved to Richmond in 2004 and immersed herself in the local writing community through membership in the James River Writers and as a member of the Library of Virginia Foundation board; and

WHEREAS, a gracious woman, Emyl Jenkins generously shared her writing experiences with others, mentored aspiring writers, developed the judging process for the James River Writers’ first Unpublished Novel Contest that was held in conjunction with Richmond Magazine, and used her publishing connections to bring noted authors to Richmond; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong supporter of the arts and cultural activities, Emyl Jenkins also generously volunteered her time with the Citizens’ Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, the Garden Club of Virginia, Virginia Press Women, North Carolina Ballet, and the Arts Council of North Carolina State University; and

WHEREAS, possessed of a cheerful and amiable disposition, Emyl Jenkins encouraged those around her to “think happy thoughts,” and left them with many wonderful memories of shared joys; and

WHEREAS, a woman who lived a life of enviable accomplishment, Emyl Jenkins will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her loving husband, Robert M. Sexton; children, Langdon and Joslin, and their families; stepdaughter, Erika, and her family; and her numerous other family members, friends, and fans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an esteemed citizen of the Commonwealth, Emyl Jenkins; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Emyl Jenkins as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.