Bill Text: VA HR212 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Vivian Ann Bland.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-27 - Bill text as passed House (HR212ER) [HR212 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR212-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Vivian Ann Bland, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and active and engaged member of the Petersburg community, died on January 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, a native of Prince George County, Vivian Bland graduated from the former J.E.J. Moore High School before attending what is now Virginia State University and earning a bachelor's degree from the former Saint Paul's College and a master's degree in education from Central Michigan University; and
WHEREAS, Vivian Bland embarked upon her professional career at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation and was employed at Virginia State University for a number of years before ultimately retiring as a supervisor at the Department of Medical Assistance Services; and
WHEREAS, alongside her husband, Wilbert, Vivian Bland helped to grow the family business of Bland's Florist in Petersburg, gracefully serving the floral needs of her customers over several years; and
WHEREAS, Vivian Bland gave generously of her time and talents for the benefit of the community as the treasurer of various local organizations, including the Delta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Petersburg chapter of The Links, Inc., the Petersburg chapter of the National Epicureans, Inc., and the Women's Committee for the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra; and
WHEREAS, Vivian Bland fostered community ties as president of the Petersburg chapter of The Drifters, Inc., and as a member of the Petersburg chapter of the Pinochle Bugs Social and Civic Club, Inc., and the Wives of Beaux–Twenty Club; and
WHEREAS, baptized in her youth at Providence Baptist Church in Prince George County, Vivian Bland was guided throughout her life by her faith and enjoyed worship and fellowship with her community at First Baptist Church in Petersburg for many years, where she served as a member of the M.M. Clarke Circle, Senior Choir, Senior Citizen Ministry, and MLK Planning Committee and as the chair of the Budget Committee; and
WHEREAS, preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Wilbert, Vivian Bland will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her children, Sylinda and Wilbert, Jr., and their families and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Vivian Ann Bland, a cherished member of the Petersburg community who was a source of joy and inspiration to all who knew her; 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 Vivian Ann Bland as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.
