---
title: HR 73. Stoddard, Ann Elizabeth Harris; condolences
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr73
cite_as: HR 73, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr73
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr73.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr73/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69606
date: 2025-01-28
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.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr72.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr74.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr73.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 73
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-01-28
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Inga Willis
  - Steven Sainz
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR73/2025
upstream_id: 1945176
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - condolence resolution
  - Georgia House of Representatives
  - education history
---

# HR 73. Stoddard, Ann Elizabeth Harris; condolences

## Text

House Resolution 73
By: Representatives Willis of the 55th and Sainz of the 180th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard on January 11, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard was born on July 10, 1928, a beloved daughter
of Tola and Lillie Harris; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated education professional, she served as an elementary and high school
teacher, an educational consultant, and a professor at Edward Waters College, Virginia Tech,
and the University of North Florida, where she retired as professor emerita; and
WHEREAS, she was a graduate of Spelman College, Atlanta University Center, and the
University of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, she further authored numerous articles for educational journals, contributed
chapters to books, and presented educational papers both nationally and internationally,
receiving awards for her teaching and scholarly work; and
WHEREAS, a woman of deep and abiding faith, Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard was an
active member of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Woodbine, where she served on the
mission council and represented the church in several capacities, as well as of Alpha Kappa
Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, she was united in love and marriage to her husband, William Jr., and was
blessed with four remarkable children, Lynn, William III, Keefe, and Brian; two wonderful
grandchildren, Tamu and Kamal; and six outstanding great-grandchildren, Noemi, Jendaya,
Osei, Usuaya, Viresha, and Oluwadurotime; and
WHEREAS, she found joy in hobbies such as reading; solving crossword, Sudoku, and logic
puzzles; listening to classical and jazz music; stamp collecting; and creating intricate
needlework, including crocheting afghans and cross-stitching works inspired by
Impressionist artists; and
WHEREAS, she was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation
for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example she made of her life,
she made this world a better place in which to live; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard will long
be remembered for her love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all
who had the great fortune of knowing her.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Ann Elizabeth Harris
Stoddard and express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.
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 Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard.

## 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 House resolution honors the life of Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard, a longtime educator who died on January 11, 2025, and directs a copy be given to her family.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution is a formal statement from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard, who passed away on January 11, 2025. It recounts her career as a teacher, educational consultant, and professor at several colleges, her education at Spelman College, Atlanta University Center, and the University of Georgia, and her involvement in her church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply expresses the House's regret at her passing and honors her memory. It also directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for her family.

### What it does

- Formally honors the life and memory of Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard on behalf of the House of Representatives.
- Expresses the House's sincere regret at her passing.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to her family.

### Who it affects

This resolution directly names the family of Ann Elizabeth Harris Stoddard, who will receive a copy, and reflects an action taken by the Georgia House of Representatives. It has no regulatory effect on other Georgians.

### Why it matters

The resolution has no legal or practical effect on Georgia law or residents generally. Its significance is symbolic and personal, providing formal recognition from the state legislature to the family of a woman remembered for her decades in education and community life.

### Key provisions

- The resolution recites biographical details about Stoddard's education, career, faith, and family.
- The resolved clause states the House joins in honoring her life and expressing regret at her passing.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to her family.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-01-28)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-01-28)
- Sponsors: Inga Willis, Steven Sainz
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69606

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr73.md?full=1