WHEREAS, Elsie Taylor Brown, a native of Richmond, was born on January 31, 1922, and was called to peace on March 11, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Elsie Taylor Brown, the only daughter of five children, was born and reared in Richmond by loving parents who successfully owned and managed real property even during the Great Depression; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Virginia State University in 1944, formerly Virginia State College, with a bachelor's degree in sociology, she worked three years as a social worker before earning her teaching credentials in early childhood education at Virginia Union University; and

WHEREAS, Elsie Taylor Brown began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Blackwell Elementary School in the early 1950s, and later taught first and second grades at Patrick Henry Elementary School, where she retired in the mid-1980s after 35 years as an educator; and

WHEREAS, although Elsie Taylor Brown was a longtime resident of Richmond's North Side, she loved South Richmond's communities near Blackwell Elementary School where she taught and devoted much of her time, came to know the families in the community, and taught their children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, together with her husband of 56 years with whom she shared the love of teaching and who preceded her in death, Reginald L. Brown, Sr., who served as assistant principal at Binford Middle School and a member of the Richmond School Board, Elsie Taylor Brown touched the lives of hundreds of children; and

WHEREAS, Elsie Taylor Brown was named "Teacher of the Year" by Richmond City Public Schools in 1983 and was a finalist that year for Virginia "Teacher of the Year"; and

WHEREAS, a kind, warm, and enthusiastic kindergarten teacher, she sought to help children get off to the right start; she was a great disciplinarian who had complete charge of the classroom and the respect of her students, and fully expected her students to excel academically; and

WHEREAS, Elsie Taylor Brown found immense satisfaction in teaching children how to write their names, to understand proper English, and to articulate and use correct grammar to the day she died; and

WHEREAS, she was a gregarious woman, and in 1944 with four college classmates, she organized the Epicureans, now known as National Epicureans, Inc., a civic and social group whose mission is to inspire members to a high moral and intellectual standing; and

WHEREAS, she served as local president of the Epicureans and had a prominent role when the group grew to more than 20 chapters and 400 members nationally; and

WHEREAS, Elsie Taylor Brown, "the family matriarch and dispenser of sage advice, was a sports expert, word puzzle guru, relationship consultant, caring friend, and unconditional life coach"; and

WHEREAS, a woman of faith, Elsie Taylor Brown found great pleasure in reading and studying the Bible and loved sharing scriptures and prayers with loved ones and friends, and as a faithful and longtime member of All Souls Presbyterian Church for 56 years, she served honorably and faithfully as a trustee; and

WHEREAS, Elsie Taylor Brown leaves to mourn her passing devoted family, friends, and colleagues who will forever cherish her memory; 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 Elsie Taylor Brown, native daughter and beloved educator; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Elsie Taylor Brown in order that they may be apprised of the General Assembly's admiration and deep respect for her memory and dedicated service to the people of the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth.