GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1237*

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Sponsors: Representatives Womble, Oldham, Gray, Esposito, Decker, and Sexton.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

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June 19, 1997

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF MAZIE SPENCER WOODRUFF, A DEVOTED PUBLIC SERVANT AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff was born on September 25, 1922, to the late William and Virgie Spencer; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff worked for and retired from the Hollady Surgical Supply Company; and
Whereas, in 1976, Mazie Spencer Woodruff became the first African-American to be elected to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, on which she served for 14 years; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff was one of the original members of the Winston-Salem Board of Directors of the Mechanics and Farmers Bank; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff was a devoted and active member of her community, serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Forsyth County Board of Social Services, Forsyth County Library Board of Trustees, Forsyth County Tourism Development Authority, Reynolds Health Center Advisory Committee, Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council, 4-H Advisory Committee, Farm-City Committee, and Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments, and Cherry Hill Community Club; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff was a member of the Board of Directors of the Red Cross, the Goodwill Industries, and the United Way; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff served on the Governor's Council on the Status of Women and the North Carolina Mental Health Study Commission; and 
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff was a devoted volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels of Winston-Salem and was a member of the American Legion Post 220; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff received numerous honors and awards, including the Charles McLean Public Service Award, the NAACP Achievements Award, and was recognized as the Winston-Salem Chronicle Woman of the Year in 1988, and as the Outstanding County Commissioner by the National Association of Black County Officials in 1996; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff was a deeply religious woman who was actively involved in the Union Chapel Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and as a member of the Senior Usher Board; and
Whereas, on January 7, 1997, the State of North Carolina and Forsyth County lost one of its most beloved and productive citizens with the death of Mazie Spencer Woodruff; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff is survived by four sons, Melvin Woodruff, Charles Woodruff, Robert Woodruff, and Kenneth Woodruff; three daughters, Mildred Woodruff Strange, Sylvia Woodruff, and Arnetta Woodruff Hauser; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mabel Price; and
Whereas, Mazie Spencer Woodruff was respected, admired, and loved by those who knew her and those who had the privilege of working with her; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly expresses its appreciation of Mazie Spencer Woodruff as a devoted public servant and citizen and extends its sympathy to her family and friends for their loss.
Section 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Mazie Spencer Woodruff.
Section 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.