WHEREAS, Patsy Thomas Smith, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother from Smith Mountain Lake who inspired others with her determination and generosity, passed away on December 23, 2012; and WHEREAS, a native of Pulaski, Patsy Smith married the love of her life, Garnett, at a young age and the couple embarked on a 52-year marriage marked by mutual respect, love, devotion to their daughter Wendy, and commitment to serving others; and WHEREAS, Patsy Smith retired from Appalachian Power Company, where she made many contributions as a dedicated and hardworking employee; and WHEREAS, Patsy Smith and her husband, Garnett, committed to the well-being and prosperity of Southwest Virginia and firm believers in the importance of education, generously supported numerous community and Virginia Tech initiatives and programs; and WHEREAS, organizations such as the Art Museum of Western Virginia, now known as the Taubman Museum of Art, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, the Skelton 4-H Center at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia Tech libraries and athletics, and the Virginia Tech President's Discovery Fund all benefitted from the thoughtful generosity of Patsy and Garnett Smith; and WHEREAS, Virginia Tech honored Patsy Smith and her husband, Garnett, for their service to the school by naming its Career Services Building in their honor, with the bronze plaque unveiled at the dedication praising the couple as "an inspiration of how a meaningful life is achieved not only through personal success but in service to others"; and WHEREAS, the Garnett E. and Patsy T. Smith Career Center provides an invaluable service, helping more than 24,000 students each year with more than 3,000 employers registered with the center; and WHEREAS, Patsy Smith battled cancer for many years and inspired others with her strength and courage; she shared her story with others and helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research; and WHEREAS, a gracious and vibrant woman, Patsy Smith will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband, Garnett; daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Alexander; grandson, Baylor; and numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; 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 a respected citizen of the Commonwealth, Patsy Thomas Smith; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Patsy Thomas Smith as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory. |