Senate Resolution 350
By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Anderson of the 43rd, Jackson of the 41st, Davenport of the
17th, Jones II of the 22nd and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Alice Mae White Bussey; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Alice Mae White Bussey; and
WHEREAS, Alice Mae White Bussey was born on July 31, 1947, in south DeKalb County,
Georgia, the tenth of twelve children born to Oscar Curtis White Sr., a skilled carpenter, and
Eula Belle Shepard White, a devoted homemaker; and
WHEREAS, after completing her higher education in California, she returned to Georgia and
served as the state's first Labor Department federal representative, during which time she
managed millions of dollars, conducted investigations, and developed programs benefiting
the elderly, welfare recipients, and high school dropouts; and
WHEREAS, she further served as the Federal Women's Program manager for the eight-state
Southeastern Region, advocating for policies and programs to support women in the
workforce; and
WHEREAS, in 1985, Alice Mae White Bussey made history as the first woman elected
president of the Atlanta Business League, and after her marriage to florist James Bussey, she
embarked on a distinguished career in the floral industry, becoming the first African
American FTD florist in Atlanta; and
WHEREAS, during her more than 30 years in the industry, she grew her own florist shop
from a local retail establishment into an international enterprise, traveling extensively with
her husband to develop business markets across the United States, Europe, and Africa; and
WHEREAS, she and her husband participated in former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young's
historic trade mission to Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, promoting business
opportunities and economic development; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her many wonderful career achievements, she was a devoted
mother to her three adult children as well as a doting grandmother to her grandchild; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Alice Mae White Bussey 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 SENATE that the members of this body
join in honoring the life and memory of Alice Mae White Bussey and express their deepest
and most sincere regret at her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Alice
Mae White Bussey.