A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of leo mercer, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, Leo Mercer was born on March 20, 1926, in Chadbourn, North Carolina, to Bailey Mercer and Lottie Hinson Mercer; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer graduated from Chadbourn High School in 1943 and, during that same year, served in the United States Navy; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer was a farmer and business owner, serving as co‑owner of Mercer‑Worthington Funeral Home (now Worthington Funeral Home) until his retirement in 1984; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer had a 33‑year career with the United States Postal Service; he began working for the organization in 1951 and later served as the postmaster for the Town of Chadbourn from 1962 to 1984; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer was a leader in his community, serving as Mayor of Chadbourn from 1969 to 1970, 1975 to 1982, and 1999 to 2005 and as a member of the Columbus County Board of Education from 1982 to 1988 and the Columbus County Board of Elections from 2008 to 2011; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer served with honor and distinction as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for two terms between 1989 and 1992, where he was a member of numerous committees, including Agriculture, Ethics, Finance, Pensions and Retirement, State Government, State Revenue, and Transportation; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer served five years as a special assistant to Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. in the Governor's eastern office; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer was a member of several fraternal and civic organizations, including the Chadbourn Masonic Lodge #607, Chadbourn Merchants Association, Chadbourn Civitan Club, and Columbus County Committee of 100; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer was an active member of Chadbourn Baptist Church, where he held several positions, including deacon and superintendent; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer was honored by being named the North Carolina Postmaster of the Year in 1978, having a section of NC Highway 410 named the "Leo Mercer Highway," and receiving the State's highest honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2012; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer was married to the late Irene Bullard Mercer; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer died December 26, 2013, at the age of 87; and
Whereas, Leo Mercer is survived by a daughter, Gwendolyn Mercer Sanderson; two sons, Kenneth L. Mercer and Kipling Sherrill Mercer; seven grandchildren; and 18 great‑grandchildren; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Leo Mercer and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service to his community, State, and nation.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its sympathy to the family of Leo Mercer 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 Leo Mercer.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.