WHEREAS, Virginia Belle Honeycutt Meador, a longtime public servant who touched countless lives in Big Stone Gap through her commitment to philanthropy and volunteer leadership, died on July 29, 2023, at the age of 99; and

WHEREAS, Virginia "Ginny Belle" Honeycutt Meador was born on her parents' farm near Big Stone Gap and later moved into town, where her father opened a dentistry practice; she spent many idyllic summers back on the farm in her childhood; and

WHEREAS, Ginny Belle Meador graduated from Big Stone Gap High School, where she was voted "Most Talented," served as president of the Beta Club, sang in the glee club, marched as a majorette, and was a member of the debate team with future-Governor Linwood Holton; and

WHEREAS, Ginny Belle Meador earned a degree in education and psychology from what is now Randolph-Macon College, then worked as a teacher and an executive secretary in Annapolis, Maryland, where she met her husband, Harry, a fellow native of Big Stone Gap; and

WHEREAS, Ginny Belle and Harry Meador returned to their hometown to raise a family, and after her children were grown, she led a citizen's group to preserve Big Cherry Lake, then ultimately ran for and was elected to the Wise County Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, Ginny Belle Meador represented her community for 33 years and became the longest-serving member in the history of the Wise County Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, Ginny Belle Meador also provided her leadership and expertise to the Lonesome Pine Youth Services Board, Frontier Health's Planning District One, Lenowisco Planning District Commission, and Mountain Empire Community College Foundation, as well as to the advisory boards of Clinch Valley College, the Pro-Art Association, and Natural Tunnel State Park's Cove Ridge Center; and

WHEREAS, Ginny Belle Meador played an instrumental role in the funding and establishment of C. Bascom Slemp Memorial Library, and she was appointed by Governor Linwood Holton to the Library of Virginia Board; and

WHEREAS, Ginny Belle Meador inspired young people as a Cub Scout Den Mother at First Presbyterian Church, where she also served as an elder and the organist for 63 years; she volunteered her time with local food banks and hospitals and performed as an accompanist in local music productions; and

WHEREAS, Ginny Belle Meador received many accolades for her personal and professional achievements, including the 2011 Virginia Community College Leadership Award in Philanthropy, the 2020 Lonesome Pine Office on Youth and Families Service Award, and induction into the Mountain Empire Community College Foundation Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Harry, Ginny Belle Meador will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Harry III and Nancy, and their families, 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 Virginia Belle Honeycutt Meador; 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 Virginia Belle Honeycutt Meador as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.