A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of ashley b. Futrell, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell was born in Rich Square, North Carolina, on October 27, 1911, to Dr. and Mrs. James Thomas Futrell; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell grew up in the City of Wilson and earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1933; and
Whereas, after graduating from college, Ashley Brown Futrell returned to Wilson, where he taught school, coached at Wilson High School, and later served as a buyer for the Imperial Tobacco Company; and
Whereas, during the mid‑1940s, Ashley Brown Futrell took on seasonal work as a reporter for the Wilson Daily Times; and
Whereas, in 1949, Ashley Brown Futrell became the editor and publisher of The Washington Daily News; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell served as President of both the North Carolina Press Association and the Eastern North Carolina Press Association; and
Whereas, in 1982, Ashley Brown Futrell became editor and publisher emeritus of The Washington Daily News and on April 7, 1991, was inducted into the North Carolina Journalism Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell received numerous honors and awards while serving as editor and publisher of The Washington Daily News and was instrumental in the paper winning the Pulitzer Prize for Meritorious Public Service in 1990; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell served with honor and distinction as a member of the General Assembly, serving three terms in the Senate from 1965 to 1972; and
Whereas, as a State senator, Ashley Brown Futrell supported the establishment of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville and he advocated for the founding of Beaufort County Community College; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell worked unselfishly for the betterment of his community, serving as President of the Greater Washington Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Board of Trustees of East Carolina University, and as a member of the Washington City Board of Education and the Board of Trustees of the Beaufort County Hospital; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell was an active member and leader of numerous civic and fraternal organizations, including the Rotary Club, Masons, Shriners, Jaycees, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Moose Lodge; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the United States Army; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as a lay leader and Sunday schoolteacher; and
Whereas, Ashley Brown Futrell died on February 11, 2005, leaving to mourn his wife, Rachel Brooks Fox Futrell; a son, Ashley Brown Futrell, Jr. and his wife, Susan Futrell; and two grandchildren, Gretchen Suzanne Futrell and Ashley Brown Futrell III; and
Whereas, with the death of Ashley Brown Futrell, the State of North Carolina has lost a most able, outstanding, devoted, and loyal citizen; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Ashley Brown Futrell and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his devoted service to North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its sympathy to the family of Ashley Brown Futrell for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Ashley Brown Futrell.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.