---
title: HR 405. Kilgore, Vanise Ayanna; condolences
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr405
cite_as: HR 405, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr405
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr405.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr405/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70867
date: 2025-02-26
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr404.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr406.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr405.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 405
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-02-26
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Arlene Beckles
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR405/2025
upstream_id: 1985791
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - condolence resolution
  - Georgia House of Representatives
  - Duluth Georgia
  - education
---

# HR 405. Kilgore, Vanise Ayanna; condolences

## Text

House Resolution 405
By: Representative Beckles of the 96th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Vanise Ayanna Kilgore; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, with saddened hearts, we acknowledge the passing of a beloved soul and
celebrate a life well lived; and
WHEREAS, Vanise Ayanna Kilgore, affectionately known as Ayanna, departed this life on
February 19, 2025, in Duluth, Georgia, surrounded by the love of her family; and
WHEREAS, Ayanna was born on July 16, 1975, in Austell, Georgia, to Fletrice Blanton and
the late Roy Lee Watson, and from an early age, she embodied love, warmth, and a spirit of
servitude that endeared her to all who knew her; and
WHEREAS, she demonstrated a deep love for children and a strong commitment to faith,
dedicating herself to her church community through the children's ministry and youth
department, shaping the lives of young people with care and devotion; and
WHEREAS, Ayanna shared an unbreakable bond with her beloved brother, Nevin, and
together they created cherished memories that spoke to their inseparable love and sibling
camaraderie; and
WHEREAS, at the tender age of 13, Ayanna met her soulmate, Jonathan Kilgore, with whom
she built a life of unwavering partnership, faith, and adventure, raising their three beloved
children, Jonysia "Nysi," Jemarcus "Marcus," and Jadyn, and embracing the joy of
grand-parenthood as an adoring "Omi" to John Westley and Rohen Upshaw; and
WHEREAS, Ayanna's profound love for her family manifested in her fierce devotion as a
mother, empowering her children to achieve their dreams, supporting their ambitions, and
exemplifying resilience, determination, and unconditional love; and
WHEREAS, she was a distinguished scholar and a proud "Double Dawg," earning degrees
from the University of Georgia, Bob Jones University, and Kairos University, paving the way
for future generations through her commitment to education and mentorship; and
WHEREAS, Ayanna's career as an educator and entrepreneur flourished, from her early
teaching years in Clarke County Public Schools and Timothy Christian Academy to the
founding of The Little Cherubim Early Learning Facility and Pathways Educational
Solutions, serving as a beacon of learning and excellence in her community; and
WHEREAS, she extended her impact beyond borders, dedicating her time and resources to
mission work in Mexico, Cape Town, South Africa, and Mbabane, Eswatini, embodying a
life of service, love, and compassion for others; and
WHEREAS, Ayanna's legacy of kindness, wisdom, and faith will continue to shine in the
lives of all those she touched, and her memory will remain a guiding light for her family,
friends, and community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Vanise Ayanna Kilgore,
recognizing her remarkable contributions, unwavering love, and steadfast faith, and may her
spirit forever inspire those who follow in her footsteps.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Vanise Ayanna Kilgore.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution honors the life of Vanise Ayanna Kilgore, a Duluth educator and entrepreneur who died in February 2025, and directs a copy be given to her family.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It recognizes Vanise Ayanna Kilgore, who died on February 19, 2025, in Duluth, Georgia, recounting her life as a mother, grandmother, educator, and founder of two education-related businesses, The Little Cherubim Early Learning Facility and Pathways Educational Solutions.
The resolution formally states that the House honors and celebrates her life and legacy. It also directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to her family. It does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute.

### What it does

- Formally states that the Georgia House of Representatives honors and celebrates the life and legacy of Vanise Ayanna Kilgore.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Kilgore's family.
- Recites biographical details about Kilgore's family, education, career, and community and mission work as the basis for the honor.

### Who it affects

This resolution directly affects the family of Vanise Ayanna Kilgore, who will receive an official copy, and reflects recognition by the Georgia House of Representatives. It does not impose obligations or changes on the general public, businesses, or government agencies.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally; it is a formal, symbolic gesture by the state legislature. Its practical impact is limited to providing Kilgore's family with an official record of the House's recognition of her life.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses describe Kilgore's birth, family, education at the University of Georgia, Bob Jones University, and Kairos University, and her career as an educator and entrepreneur.
- The first resolving clause states that the House honors and celebrates her life and legacy.
- The second resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy available for distribution to her family.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-02-26)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-26)
- Sponsors: Arlene Beckles
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70867

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr405.md?full=1