SR1098: SR1098 Davenport, Helen Odessa Dixon; condolences

26 LC 112 4235 Senate Resolution 1098 By: Senators Davenport of the 17th, Jones of the 10th and James of the 28th A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport upon her 100th birthday;1 and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport was born on May 16, 1926, in Jonesboro,3 Georgia, the beloved daughter of Henry and Clara Dixon; and4 WHEREAS, she received her early education in the Clayton County Public School System,5 and after graduation from Jonesboro Colored High School in 1942, she earned a bachelor's6 degree from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, and a master's d egree in education from7 Atlanta University; and8 WHEREAS, her union in love and marriage to her husband, Nathaniel, was blessed with two9 remarkable daughters, Gail, who is the state senator for the 17 th District of Georgia, and10 Carolyn, who is a retired educator; and11 WHEREAS, during World War II, Helen worked in the summers of 19 43 and 1944 at the12 Atlanta Army Depot, now called Fort Gillem, where she learned t o drive cars, trucks,13 warehouse tractors, tow-motor fork lifts, and jitney buses, and she used the money she earned14 to pay for her college tuition; and15 S. R. 1098 - 1 - 26 LC 112 4235 WHEREAS, Helen was a lifelong member of Andrews United Methodis t Church in16 Jonesboro, where she served on the administrative, trustee, and scholarship boards, and her17 stewardship reached near and far as she enjoyed fellowship with members of Andrews18 Chapel and the community; and19 WHEREAS, Helen's lifetime achievements included a great deal of community awards and20 recognitions, including but not limited to the 2003 Outstanding and Courageous Service21 Award from the Greater St. Peter AME Church in Jonesboro, the 1 982 Clayton County22 Reading Teacher of the Year Award as a reading specialist, and recognition for outstanding23 service to the American Business Women's Association from the G reenbriar Chapter in24 Atlanta; and25 WHEREAS, she retired in 1990 after teaching for 38 years in the Clayton County Public26 School System; and27 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport will28 long be remembered for her love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed29 by all who had the great fortune of knowing her.30 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body31 honor the life and memory of Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport upon her posthumous 100th32 birthday and express their deepest and most sincere regret at h er passing on December 5,33 2024 at 98 years of age.34 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed35 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to the family of36 Helen Odessa Dixon Davenport.37 S. R. 1098 - 2 -