SJR38INTRODUCED
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M8F6WW-1
By Senators Allen, Albritton, Barfoot, Beasley, Bell, Butler,
Carnley, Chambliss, Chesteen, Coleman, Coleman-Madison,
Elliott, Figures, Givhan, Gudger, Hatcher, Hovey, Jones,
Kelley, Livingston, Melson, Orr, Price, Reed, Roberts,
Scofield, Sessions, Shelnutt, Singleton, Smitherman, Stewart,
Stutts, Waggoner, Weaver, Williams
RFD:
First Read: 18-Apr-23
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10 M8F6WW-1 04/13/2023 BH (L)bh 2023-1494
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SJR___ CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MRS. BETTY BAILEY SHIRLEY.
WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that we note the
death on April 6, 2023, of beloved mental health advocate,
Mrs. Betty Bailey Shirley, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at the
age of 95; and
WHEREAS, her passing leaves a void in the lives of
her loving family, many friends, and the entire community,
where she was highly regarded; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Shirley was born on November 7, 1927,
in Montgomery, Alabama, to Evelyn Parker Bailey and George
Forrest Bailey, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, upon graduating from The University of
Alabama, where she was a devoted member of Kappa Delta
Sorority, Mrs. Shirley dedicated her life to service and
addressing mental health at the community level; she found a
heart for service because of her late grandson, Walt Gary,
who inspired her to advocate for children with disabilities,
especially through the RISE Center and The University of
Alabama CrossingPoints Program; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Shirley helped move RISE from an older
facility to the Stallings Center, which prompted the program
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to raise more than $3 million in her honor for an endowment
fund, the Betty Shirley Tree of Life; was a lifetime member
of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association
of Tuscaloosa County; and served as a member of the DCH
Foundation Ball when its proceeds were used for a
psychiatric unit at DCH Regional Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, Mrs. Shirley was appointed by
President George W. Bush as one of his One-Thousand Points
of Light, a distinction given to citizens working to better
their communities through volunteer work; in 2002, as a
result of Mrs. Shirley's impactful work, the psychiatry
clinic at The University of Alabama's Capstone Medical
Center was named the Betty Shirley Clinic for Psychiatry and
Behavioral Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Shirley spent her early life as an
active member of the United Methodist Church and later
joined her family at Christ Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her husband,
George Sidney Shirley; grandson; parents; and siblings,
Evelyn Sledge Britton, Frances Sledge Nicrosi, and George
Forrest Bailey, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Shirley is survived by her daughters,
Betsy Shirley Gary (Walter), Allison Shirley Pritchard
(Billy), and Evelyn Shirley Pritchard (Ross); grandchildren,
Allison Gary Drake (Zack), Ann Bailey Pritchard White,
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Shelton Pritchard Kitchen (Drew), Billy Pritchard IV
(Louise), Mary Evelyn Pritchard (Ryan), and Ross Pritchard
III; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of other family
members and friends; and
WHEREAS, although her presence will be greatly
missed, the memory of Mrs. Shirley will be cherished in the
hearts of all who knew and loved her; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of beloved mental
health advocate, Mrs. Betty Bailey Shirley, is recorded with
deep sadness, and this resolution is offered in tribute to
her life, along with heartfelt sympathy to her family, whose
grief is shared by many.
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