HR549: HR549 Bevington, Paula Lawton; condolences

25 LC 112 3242 House Resolution 549 By: Representatives Holcomb of the 101st, Oliver of the 84th, Miller of the 62nd, Westbrook of the 163rd, Roberts of the 52nd, and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Paula Lawton Bevington; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Paula Lawton Bevington on August 4, 2024; and3 WHEREAS, Paula Lawton Bevington was born on September 25, 1937, in Cleveland, Ohio,4 a beloved daughter of G. Albert Lawton and Mary Patricia Walsh Lawton; and5 WHEREAS, she graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary's College i n N o t r e D a m e ,6 Indiana, at the age of 20 and earned her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1961,7 followed by additional studies at Middlebury College and the Na tional Autonomous8 University of Mexico; and9 WHEREAS, following her graduation, Paula Lawton Bevington becam e the first woman10 associate hired by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP, in Atlanta during a time when many11 law firms did not hire women; and12 H. R. 549 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3242 WHEREAS, she served the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C., in 196 3; conducted13 international law research on a Fulbright scholarship at Centra l University of Venezuela,14 Caracas; and traveled throughout South America and around the world; and15 WHEREAS, Paula Lawton Bevington joined her husband, E. Milton, at Servidyne16 Incorporated from 1980 to 2002, contributing to the company's pioneering efforts in energy17 conservation, and later served as Vice President of Development for SciTrek; and18 WHEREAS, she was as an active and enthusiastic alumna and volunteer for Lauralton Hall,19 St. Mary's, and Yale, and she held leadership roles in numerous civic organizations,20 including the Junior League of Atlanta, The Carter Center, and the Atlanta Legal Aid21 Society; and22 WHEREAS, she further chaired the Georgia Human Relations Commission, served as the23 first woman president of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, and led the Justice Center of Atlanta;24 and25 WHEREAS, she was blessed with eight remarkable children, Milton Jr., Rickey, Peter,26 George, Christian, Charles, Justin, and Mary; 12 wonderful gran dchildren; and three27 magnificent great-grandchildren; and28 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Paula Lawton Bevington will long be29 remembered for her belief in the collective power of family, friendships, and community to30 promote and positively effect social transformation. This quali ty was at the center of her31 leadership, from her teenage years throughout her entire life.32 H. R. 549 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3242 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that33 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Paula Lawton Bevington34 and express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.35 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized36 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the37 family of Paula Lawton Bevington.38 H. R. 549 - 3 -