WHEREAS, Frances Hallam Hurt of Chatham, who made countless contributions to the civic and cultural life of Pittsylvania County and worked for the betterment of her community in many ways, and who was a devoted wife and mother, died on February 6, 2015; and

WHEREAS, a native of Graham, Texas, Frances Hallam moved to New York after graduating from Southern Methodist University; she married Henry C. Hurt, Sr., a native of southern Virginia, and the couple settled in Chatham in 1941 to raise a family; and

WHEREAS, Frances Hurt was a writer, preservationist, literacy teacher, and determined optimist; among her many interests was local history; she was a member of the Pittsylvania County Historical Society and wrote three plays and two books about the area's early days; and

WHEREAS, Frances Hurt supported beautification efforts and served as vice president of Keep Virginia Beautiful; locally, she headed a group of volunteers who tended green spaces around Chatham, and she helped bring recognition to the town when it received a national Keep America Beautiful award; and

WHEREAS, Frances Hurt helped start the county's library system and was the bookmobile driver for a time; she also created the Pittsylvania County Literacy Program, which developed from her volunteer efforts to teach inmates to read; and

WHEREAS, several popular events in Pittsylvania County were spearheaded by Frances Hurt, including the Bright Leaf celebration, which for many years recognized the region's tobacco heritage, and the Autumn Potpourri–Callands Festival, which now attracts thousands of visitors; and

WHEREAS, with a great interest in the world around her and a determination to preserve the past, Frances Hurt helped save the Chatham Train Station from demolition; the depot was built in 1918 and now houses the Pittsylvania County History Research Center and Library; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her tireless work on behalf of Chatham, which is the county seat of Pittsylvania County, a park located behind the Chatham Town Hall was named in Frances Hurt's honor in appreciation for a lifetime devoted to civic and cultural activities; and

WHEREAS, Frances Hurt took up many causes during her long life; she was a tireless promoter and hard worker for issues in which she believed, and the Town of Chatham, Pittsylvania County, and the Commonwealth are her grateful beneficiaries; and

WHEREAS, Frances Hurt, who was predeceased by her husband, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her children, Hallam and Henry, Jr., and their families; and by many other family members, friends, and the residents of Chatham and Pittsylvania County who have benefited from her efforts to improve the area she cared for so dearly; 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 Frances Hallam Hurt of Chatham, an ardent supporter of the civic and cultural life of Pittsylvania County, who worked for the betterment of her community in many ways, a writer, historic preservationist, literacy teacher, determined optimist, and a devoted wife and mother; 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 Frances Hallam Hurt as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.