SENATE RESOLUTION 51

(By Senators Blair (Mr. President), Azinger, Barrett, Boley, Caputo, Chapman, Clements, Deeds, Grady, Hamilton, Hunt, Jeffries, Karnes, Maroney, Martin, Maynard, Nelson, Oliverio, Phillips, Plymale, Queen, Roberts, Rucker, Smith, Stover, Stuart, Swope, Takubo, Tarr, Taylor, Trump, Weld, Woelfel, and Woodrum)

[Introduced February 21, 2024]

Memorializing the life of Lora Susan Thompson, former Bill Clerk, Chief Journal Clerk, and Chief Desk Clerk of the West Virginia Senate, and dedicated public servant.

Whereas, Lora Susan (Phillips) Thompson was born July 27, 1964, in Williamson, Mingo County, the daughter of the late Grover Cameron "Curt" Phillips and Shelby Sue (Fleming) Phillips. Lora attended Main Grade School and Williamson High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society; and

Whereas, Lora was an accomplished swimmer and tennis player during her younger years and continued to support the Williamson High School Wolfpack long after she graduated; and

Whereas, Lora attended Southern West Virginia Community College and later Marshall University, making the Dean’s List at both institutions. She graduated Marshall University with a degree in education and briefly taught in the Cabell County School System. She would remain a lifelong fan of the Thundering Herd; and

Whereas, Lora began her career with the West Virginia Legislature as a per diem employee working for former Senate Majority Leader H. Truman Chafin before taking the position of Bill Clerk in 1990 with the Senate. In 1995, she moved into the Assistant Journal Clerk’s position before eventually becoming the Chief Journal Clerk in 1998. In 2011, she became the Chief Desk Clerk, a position she held until her retirement in 2021. Upon the occasion of her retirement, she was awarded the Distinguished West Virginian Award by Governor Jim Justice for her 31 years of service to the State of West Virginia; and

Whereas, Lora was a NASCAR fan and spent many weekends traveling to races with her sister, the late Lisa C. Phillips. Lora was also an animal lover and adopted numerous dogs and cats over the years, providing them with a loving home; and

Whereas, In December, 2002, Lora married John Parrish Thompson in a ceremony at the State Capitol. They enjoyed visiting various state parks and other points of interest in West Virginia, as well as traveling to Parrish’s home state of Georgia to visit family and spend time on the coast; and

Whereas, Sadly, Lora passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia, leaving behind her husband Parrish of Statesboro, Georgia; her brother, Robert C. “Bobby” Phillips of Williamson; her niece, Lauren Phillips Scarberry (Rick) of Kenova; and her grandnephew Gunnar Nash Sperry of Kenova, as well as numerous friends, all of whom cherish her memory; and

Whereas, It is fitting that the Senate pay tribute to the life of Lora Susan Thompson for her many years of dedicated public service to the Senate and the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby memorializes the life of Lora Susan Thompson, former Bill Clerk, Chief Journal Clerk, and Chief Desk Clerk of the West Virginia Senate, and dedicated public servant; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby extends its sympathies to the family of Lora Susan Thompson on her passing; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of Lora Susan Thompson.