Georgia CommonsSR 1098: Davenport, Helen Odessa Dixon; condolences
Last action April 2, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors the life of Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport, a longtime Clayton County educator, marking her 100th birthday and expressing condolences on her 2024 death.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution is a ceremonial tribute passed by the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recounts the life of Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport, who was born in Jonesboro, Georgia in 1926, earned degrees from Clark College and Atlanta University, and worked at the Atlanta Army Depot during World War II to help pay for college. The resolution details her 38-year teaching career in the Clayton County Public School System, her community service and church involvement, and her family, including her daughter Gail Davenport, who serves as the state senator for the 17th District. The Senate formally honors her memory on what would have been her 100th birthday and expresses regret over her passing on December 5, 2024. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to provide a copy of the resolution to her family.
What the bill does
- Formally honors the life and memory of Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport on the occasion of her posthumous 100th birthday.
- Expresses the Senate's regret over her death on December 5, 2024 at age 98.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to her family.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory change since it is a ceremonial resolution.
Who it affects
The resolution directly concerns the family of Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport, including her daughter Senator Gail Davenport, and has no legal effect on the general public since it is a ceremonial honor rather than a law.
Why it matters
The resolution has no practical effect on Georgia law or residents beyond the Davenport family. It serves as an official, permanent record of the Senate's recognition of her life, career as an educator, and community service.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses recount her birth, education, marriage, family, wartime work, church service, teaching career, and community awards.
- The resolving clause formally honors her memory and expresses regret at her death on December 5, 2024.
- The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available to her family.
From the bill
“the members of this body honor the life and memory of Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport upon her posthumous 100th birthday and express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing on December 5, 2024 at 98 years of age”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
- Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
- Donzella James (D, SD-028)
Topics
- Georgia Senate resolution
- condolence resolution
- Clayton County educator
- Davenport family