Bill Text: VA SR47 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Rachel Gayle Davis Fowlkes.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-08 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR47ER) [SR47 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SR47-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Rachel Gayle Davis Fowlkes, an accomplished educator, founding executive director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, and active and beloved member of the Abingdon community, died on April 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, a native of Meridian, Mississippi, Rachel Fowlkes graduated from Millsaps College and later earned a master's degree from Mississippi State University and a doctoral degree in education from the University of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, in the early years of her career, Rachel Fowlkes served as an elementary school teacher, special education teacher, and supervisor for special education for Washington County, working tirelessly to foster a learning environment in which her students could grow and thrive; and
WHEREAS, after completing her doctoral work, Rachel Fowlkes focused her career on post-secondary education, taking a position as director of the University of Virginia's division of continuing education in Southwest Virginia and later as the state coordinator of the university's education programs; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the need for greater higher education resources in Southwest Virginia to foster economic development, Rachel Fowlkes played an instrumental role in the creation of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center and served as its executive director from its founding in 1991 until her retirement in 2015; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Fowlkes' tenure as executive director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center was characterized by her willingness to embrace technology and other innovations and her unwavering determination to understand the area's students and businesses to improve the organization's programs and services; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Fowlkes gave generously of her time and offered insightful leadership as a board member with various local and regional organizations supporting missions in the areas of education, health care, business development, heritage preservation, and more; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout her life by her faith, Rachel Fowlkes enjoyed worship and fellowship with her community at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon and volunteered regularly with the organization Ecumenical Faith in Action; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Fowlkes will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her children, Merrill and John, and their families; and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Rachel Gayle Davis Fowlkes, a cherished member of the Abingdon community whose dedication and service made a profound and lasting impact on countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Rachel Gayle Davis Fowlkes as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for her memory.
