Bill Text: VA HR154 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Lauretta Atkinson Coleman.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-26 - Bill text as passed House (HR154ER) [HR154 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR154-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Lauretta Atkinson Coleman, a woman of deep faith who touched countless lives as an educator and an entrepreneur, died on May 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Lauretta Coleman grew up in Portsmouth and graduated from I.C. Norcom High School before matriculating at Kittrell College in North Carolina, where she sang in the concert choir and was voted as "Miss Kittrell"; and
WHEREAS, Lauretta Coleman next earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University, a master's degree from Virginia State University, and a doctorate from Virginia University of Lynchburg; and
WHEREAS, Lauretta Coleman's doctoral dissertation focused on distribution strategies for Christian-focused publications and she subsequently founded Family Outlook Publishing and served as chief executive officer of a magazine with the support of her husband and son; and
WHEREAS, Lauretta Coleman gave young people the tools and support they needed to achieve success in higher education and careers, as well as to become good citizens of the Commonwealth, as a teacher in New Kent County Public Schools from 1973 to 1991 and Richmond Public Schools from 1991 to 2003; and
WHEREAS, during her 30 years in education, Lauretta Coleman developed a host of school plays and helped countless students prepare for oratorical presentations; and
WHEREAS, after her well-earned retirement as an educator, Lauretta Coleman used her natural talents as a storyteller to pursue another career as a public speaker, and she inspired audiences through her hopeful and engaging presentations; and
WHEREAS, Lauretta Coleman was a devout member of church communities wherever life led her; she notably served as a member of the senior choir at Saint Peter Baptist Church in Glen Allen and performed a solo rendition of the song "Bless This House" at the church's 100th anniversary banquet; and
WHEREAS, in later life, Lauretta Coleman moved to Lynchburg to be closer to her son and could often be found sharing her gifts as a vocalist with the congregation of Providence Transformation Church International; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband of 56 years, James, Lauretta Coleman will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her son, James, Jr., and his family, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Lauretta Atkinson Coleman; 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 Lauretta Atkinson Coleman as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.
