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2012 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 32
Celebrating the life of Iris Countee Hemmings Davis.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 24, 2012

 

WHEREAS, Iris Countee Hemmings Davis of Norfolk, a gracious woman whose generosity of spirit touched the lives of countless students, educators, and community members over the course of her life, died on February 11, 2012; and

WHEREAS, the daughter of two longtime educators, Iris Davis graduated from Amherst County Training School and received a bachelor’s degree from Virginia State College (now University) in 1953; and

WHEREAS, that same summer, Iris Davis married her college sweetheart, Willie Junius Davis, and together they raised four children and enjoyed 43 years of marriage until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Iris Davis enjoyed a long and rewarding career as a library media specialist in Tidewater area public schools and returned to her alma mater to earn a master’s degree; and

WHEREAS, Iris Davis spent five and one-half years at George Washington Carver High School, one year at the Coronado School, six years at Rosemont Middle School, three years at Northside Middle School, and 29 years at Maury High School; and

WHEREAS, Iris Davis helped countless students and educators find the resources they needed to complete their assignments and projects, staying abreast of the library’s latest holdings and earning the respect of her colleagues for her commitment to her profession; and

WHEREAS, Iris Davis took an active role in community affairs through her affiliation with the Norfolk Chapter of Delicados, Incorporated; and

WHEREAS, Iris Davis provided outstanding service to the chapter, serving in various leadership capacities on the local level, including as vice president and president; and

WHEREAS, in 1960 Iris Davis became one of the incorporators for the organization and served as its first national president, overseeing the establishment of the community service group on a national level and continuing to serve on a national level in various other roles, including another term as president; and

WHEREAS, a deeply spiritual woman who raised her and her husband’s children in a Christian environment, Iris Davis was a member of First Baptist Church, Bute Street; and

WHEREAS, Iris Davis understood the importance of a spiritually strong woman to the family unit and society and founded the women’s ministry to meet the needs of women at the church; she was a member of other ministries and volunteered at the church’s READY Academy Christian School; and

WHEREAS, Iris Davis was also a member of the Tidewater Chapter of Virginia State University’s Alumni Association, National Education Association, Ingleside Senior Citizens Club, and Ingleside Civic League; and

WHEREAS, throughout her life, Iris Davis strove to do the best in all she did while keeping her aim and purpose steadfast; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Willie, Iris Davis leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Rodney, Cheryl, Stevan, and Krystal, and their families and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of a respected citizen of the Commonwealth, Iris Countee Hemmings Davis; 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 Iris Countee Hemmings Davis as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for her memory.