WHEREAS, Marion Ferebee Smith, a vibrant member of the Portsmouth community, celebrates her 100th birthday in 2022; and

WHEREAS, born on July 20, 1922, Marion Smith has been a witness to history, from the Great Depression and World War II to the Moon landing and the dawn of the Internet era; and

WHEREAS, Marion Smith grew up in the St. Brides area of Chesapeake and graduated from Providence High School in 1939; and

WHEREAS, Marion Smith worked in multiple jobs, including maid, hospital ward aid, store clerk, and factory worker; for more than 20 years, she served as a cafeteria worker and bus driver at Union Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, Marion Smith subsequently worked as a Head Start teacher and helped local communities address poverty through the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project; and

WHEREAS, Marion Smith relished every opportunity to further her own education throughout her life, and she ultimately earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Norfolk State University in 1973; and

WHEREAS, Marion Smith began teaching in Chesapeake Public Schools in 1973 and subsequently earned a master's degree in education from Old Dominion University; and

WHEREAS, after her well-earned retirement in 1989, Marion Smith enjoyed having more time for her numerous hobbies and also took up bowling, which she played regularly until the age of 97; and

WHEREAS, outside of her career, Marion Smith volunteered her wise insights to Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Inc., and served as a past matron of The Order of the Eastern Star; and

WHEREAS, a woman of deep and abiding faith, Marion Smith was a member of Willow Grove Baptist Church in her youth and is currently an active member of the congregation at Covenant Fellowship Church in Chesapeake; and

WHEREAS, Marion Smith has inspired others through her perseverance, kindness, and grace, and she imparted her passion for lifelong learning to her children; her sons, Roderick and John, both worked as longtime public school teachers and her daughter, Rita, pursued a career in higher education administration; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Marion Ferebee Smith of Chesapeake hereby be commended on the occasion of her 100th birthday; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Marion Ferebee Smith as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for her personal and professional achievements and contributions to the Chesapeake community and the Commonwealth.