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2014 SPECIAL SESSION I


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5027
Celebrating the life of John Wilbert Divers.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, June 12, 2014
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 12, 2014
 

WHEREAS, John Wilbert Divers of Roanoke, an accomplished chef and the loving patriarch of a large family, died on March 24, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Franklin County, John Divers was raised in the Town of Bedford; and

WHEREAS, John Divers spent much of his rewarding professional career with Norfolk and Western Railway and, later, Norfolk Southern Corporation; beginning in 1944, he served as a dining car chef for over 11 years; and

WHEREAS, John Divers was passionate about fine cuisine, and he took pride in using fresh ingredients and cooking from scratch; his high standards for both preparation and presentation helped Norfolk and Western dining cars earn a reputation as the finest in the industry; and

WHEREAS, John Divers rose to become the chef on Capital Business Car 101, where he served the executive vice president and president of Norfolk and Western, and he was later appointed chef for the chairman and chief executive officer of Norfolk Southern; and

WHEREAS, John Divers cared deeply for his family and loved offering his wisdom and experience as a mentor for children; he was a diligent employee of Greenvale Nursery and worked for Roanoke City Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, as the supervisor of transportation for the Opportunity Industrial Center, John Divers helped to encourage entrepreneurship among minorities and to create new job opportunities in the community; and

WHEREAS, John Divers enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a faithful, longtime member of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, where he served as a trustee, volunteer sexton, and treasurer; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary, and two children, Dollie and William, John Divers will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Mary, Terry, Tonie, Brenda, Denise, and John, and their families and numerous other family members and friends; 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 John Wilbert Divers, an admired chef and a true gentleman; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Wilbert Divers as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.