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2023 SESSION

23100574D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 290
Offered January 27, 2023
Celebrating the lives of Martha Louise Robey Derrick and Homer Edwin Derrick, Jr.
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Patron-- Deeds
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WHEREAS, Martha Louise Robey Derrick and Homer Edwin Derrick, Jr., highly respected community leaders in Lexington and Rockbridge County, died on August 19, 2022, and September 5, 2022, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Martha Lou Derrick grew up in Buena Vista and graduated from the secondary school at Southern Seminary and Junior College; she continued her education at Hollins College, earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts; and

WHEREAS, Martha Lou Derrick worked as a child welfare advocate in Rockbridge County, then pursued her passion for the arts as an instructor of interior design and studio art at Southern Seminary and Junior College, where she served as a member of the board; and

WHEREAS, Martha Lou Derrick owned several local businesses over the years, most notably the College Town Shop, which served generations of students and residents alike; she played an active role in the establishment of CornerStone Bank in Lexington by assisting with the bank’s interior design and subsequently hosting special events there; and

WHEREAS, Martha Lou Derrick also offered her leadership and expertise to Southern Virginia University, Project Horizon, and the Natural Bridge Garden Club, and she enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as an active member of Lexington Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, Homer “Buddy” Derrick was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the United States Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps; and

WHEREAS, after serving his country as an officer in the United States Navy, Buddy Derrick settled in Lexington and worked at First National Bank before becoming the longtime owner and operator of Lexington Motor Sales; and

WHEREAS, Buddy Derrick was a trusted leader in the automobile sales industry, serving as president of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, director of the National Automobile Dealers Association, and treasurer of the NADA Charitable Foundation; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service, Buddy Derrick ran for and was elected as mayor of Lexington and ably served the community from 1988 to 2000; among his many achievements as mayor, he oversaw the consolidation of Rockbridge County High School, helped establish the Virginia Horse Center, and created the Threshold program to acquire and rehabilitate homes for families in need; and

WHEREAS, Buddy Derrick also served as board chair of what is now Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital and as president of the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Martha Lou Derrick and Buddy Derrick enjoyed 52 happy years of marriage and were well known for their warmth, generosity, and Southern hospitality; they were accomplished travelers who visited several other countries through the Washington and Lee University Lifelong Learning program; and

WHEREAS, Martha Lou Derrick and Buddy Derrick will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by their six children, Beth, Lisa, Catherine, Beth, Clark, and Ellison, 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 Martha Louise Robey Derrick and Homer Edwin Derrick, Jr., pillars of the community in Lexington and Rockbridge County; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Martha Louise Robey Derrick and Homer Edwin Derrick, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for their memory.