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2024 SESSION

24106878D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 160
Offered February 28, 2024
Celebrating the life of Paul Otie Bennett.
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Patron-- Mulchi
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WHEREAS, Paul Otie Bennett, a highly respected resident of the Town of Burkeville who touched many lives in his community and beyond through his humanity, kindness, and thoughtful leadership, died on January 26, 2024; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Nottoway County, Paul Bennett was born in Jennings Ordinary on September 3, 1934, and lived in Burkeville for 64 years; and

WHEREAS, Paul Bennett served as an active member of the Burkeville Volunteer Fire Department for 63 years and served as its chief for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Paul Bennett was the recipient of eight Firefighter of the Year awards from the Burkeville Volunteer Fire Department and also received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, the Burkeville Volunteer Fire Department created the Paul O. Bennett Distinguished Service Award in honor of Paul Bennett’s 60-plus years of volunteer service to serve as a symbol of exemplary service and leadership to the community, going above and beyond the call of duty; and

WHEREAS, Paul Bennett served continuously as a member of the Burkeville Town Council for over 44 years from May 1976 to December 2020, making him one of the longest serving council members in the town’s history; and

WHEREAS, in January 2011, Paul Bennett was recognized by the Nottoway County Board of Supervisors for his outstanding service to the citizens of Nottoway County; and

WHEREAS, Paul Bennett was a founding member of the Nottoway County Crime Solvers program, the Medical Foundation of Burkeville, and the Crewe-Burkeville Youth Recreation Association; and

WHEREAS, Paul Bennett was a retired professional truck driver for Pilot Freight Carriers, a real estate agent, and the owner of a Sinclair Oil Company distributorship; and

WHEREAS, Paul Bennett was a lifelong member of Ward’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Jennings Ordinary; and

WHEREAS, Paul Bennett has been and always will be remembered as an enduring pillar of the Burkeville community and as fire chief, councilman, and citizen extraordinaire; and

WHEREAS, the greatest joy in Paul Bennett’s life was his beloved family, and he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 65 years, Betty V. Bennett; his children, Dale, Christy, and Eddie; and his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Kaylie Edwards, and Brayden; 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 Paul Otie Bennett; and, be it

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