WHEREAS, the Honorable Barbara Stafford, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the former Mayor of Pearisburg, who touched countless lives in Southwest Virginia through her compassion, generosity, and dedication to service, died on June 16, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Stafford was born on May 7, 1953, to the late Howard Morris and Francis Morris (Ratcliffe); and

WHEREAS, Barbara Stafford was a lifelong resident of Giles County, where she came from humble beginnings that taught her to push through any limitations; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Stafford cultivated an understanding of local government from a young age as the daughter of a longtime member and chair of the Giles County Board of Supervisors; and 

WHEREAS, Barbara Stafford attended Smithdeal-Massey Business College, then returned home to Southwest Virginia, where she met her husband, Jeff, who had served the community as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for two decades; and 

WHEREAS, after her husband's untimely passing, Barbara Stafford ran a successful special election campaign to fill his seat and ably represented the residents of what was then the 5th House District for the remainder of the term, while raising her three children; and 

WHEREAS, after completing her service as a state legislator, Barbara Stafford joined the Pearisburg Town Council; and 

WHEREAS, Barbara Stafford was subsequently elected Mayor of Pearisburg; and 

WHEREAS, Barbara Stafford served as Executive Director of the Giles County Chamber of Commerce and was an active Girl Scout troop leader and a Sunday school teacher; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, Barbara Stafford joined the staff of the Honorable H. Morgan Griffith as Constituent Services Representative for Virginia's 9th Congressional District; and

WHEREAS, during her time with Congressman Griffith's staff, Barbara Stafford relished every opportunity to meet with fellow Southwest Virginia residents and help constituents stay engaged with the federal government while interacting with federal agencies; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Stafford served the Commonwealth and the Pearisburg community with the utmost of dedication and integrity while inspiring others through her strength of character and perseverance; and 

WHEREAS, in 2021, the Giles County Republican Committee honored Barbara Stafford with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Stafford will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Christopher Mann, Elizabeth Stafford, and Mary Stafford Zirkle; her granddaughters, Mallory Stafford Mann and Frances Pendleton Zirkle; her sisters, Rhonda Reynolds, Linda Candelieri, and Heather Frazier; her soul friend, Betsy Davis Beamer; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it 

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Barbara Stafford, a highly admired public servant of and loyal friend to Southwest Virginia; and, be it 

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Barbara Stafford as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory and appreciation for her commitment to the Commonwealth.