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2017 SESSION

17103716D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1007
Offered February 16, 2017
Celebrating the life of Henry Clay Bibbs, II.
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Patrons-- McQuinn and Carr
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WHEREAS, Henry Clay Bibbs, II, was born in Richmond and departed this life on January 3, 2017; and

WHEREAS, the youngest of seven children, Henry Clay Bibbs, II was educated in the Richmond Public School system, graduated from the former Maggie L. Walker High School, and attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; and

WHEREAS, Henry Bibbs was a faithful employee of Continental Baking Company, from which he retired after working more than 30 years as a machine operator at Wonder Bread; and

WHEREAS, Henry Bibbs accepted Christ at an early age; however, he rededicated his life to the Lord on Sunday, February 29, 1976, at Sixth Baptist Church in Richmond; with a heart for people and a passion for reaching those who were lost, isolated, or overlooked, he submitted to the call to labor in the outreach and evangelism ministry; and

WHEREAS, Henry Bibbs was a cheerful man who loved telling jokes, distributing Gospel tracts, witnessing, and leading people to Christ; after returning to the church community, he became a tireless and incredibly consistent worker in the church, going door-to-door with the church’s outreach ministry from 1976 until his death; and

WHEREAS, Henry Bibbs created the church’s Youth for Christ Ministry to reach children in the neighborhood around Sixth Baptist Church; established weekly and monthly Bible study classes and worship services in prisons, senior homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, group homes and other places throughout the Richmond metropolitan area; founded the Men of God Ministry to unite Christian men across Richmond to facilitate fellowship, help others, and spread the Gospel; and he helped in the church’s feed-the-community ministry; and

WHEREAS, Henry Bibbs was a dedicated churchman, serving as a church school teacher and Church School Superintendent, as a member of the security ministry, and as a Sunday morning greeter; and

WHEREAS, Henry Bibbs, fondly known as Clay, left an indelible mark on the teachers, students, and parents of Richmond Preparatory School, who looked forward to his trademark smile, contagious sense of humor, inspiration, and wisdom; for many students and teachers, seeing him in the morning was the preferred way to start their day; and

WHEREAS, a gifted and multitalented man, Henry Bibbs was an accomplished singer, who sang with his family in an a cappella Gospel quartet, “The Gospel Truth,” for many years; he was a voracious reader and loved historical, political, and theological books; he was a creative and prolific writer, who enjoyed writing poems, prose, and short stories and was in the process of publishing his second collection of writings at the time of his death; and

WHEREAS, Henry Bibbs was an avid sports fan and loved watching football games, frequenting baseball games, and supporting the Boston Celtics, which he particularly enjoyed; he traveled to witness the game on his last birthday and had the opportunity to see many great members of the Boston Celtics’ 1966, 1976, and 1986 championship teams; and

WHEREAS, the memory and legacy of Henry Bibbs will be cherished by his family, friends, church family, and everyone whose life he touched during his lifetime; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Henry Clay Bibbs, II; 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 Henry Clay Bibbs, II, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.