| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 2905 |
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| 2 | 2 | | House Resolution 226 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Representatives Glaize of the 67 |
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| 4 | 4 | | th |
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| 5 | 5 | | and Jackson of the 68 |
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| 6 | 6 | | th |
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| 7 | 7 | | |
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| 8 | 8 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 9 | 9 | | Honoring the life and memory of Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold; and for other purposes. |
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| 10 | 10 | | 1 |
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| 11 | 11 | | WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 |
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| 12 | 12 | | with the passing of Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold on January 26, 2025; and3 |
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| 13 | 13 | | WHEREAS, Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold was born on April 10, 1930, in Newnan,4 |
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| 14 | 14 | | Georgia, a beloved daughter of Essie Mae and Milton Stegall; and5 |
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| 15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, she was baptized at an early age at Dent Chapel A.M.E. Church and remained6 |
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| 16 | 16 | | steadfast in her faith throughout her life, later becoming a devoted member of Saint John7 |
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| 17 | 17 | | A.M.E. Church, where she served as a stewardess, an officer on the Steward Board, and a8 |
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| 18 | 18 | | member of the Missionary Board Society; and9 |
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| 19 | 19 | | WHEREAS, Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold dedicated nearly 50 years of her life to10 |
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| 20 | 20 | | serving the City of Fairburn, Georgia, where she worked, volunteered, and contributed to11 |
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| 21 | 21 | | many schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations, enriching the lives of countless12 |
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| 22 | 22 | | individuals in her community; and13 |
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| 23 | 23 | | H. R. 226 |
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| 24 | 24 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 2905 |
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| 25 | 25 | | WHEREAS, she made history as the first African American city councilwoman of Fairburn, |
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| 26 | 26 | | 14 |
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| 27 | 27 | | serving with distinction for 12 years and earning accolades such as the Council Member15 |
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| 28 | 28 | | Outstanding Service Award and the Legacy Trailblazer Award in recognition of her lasting16 |
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| 29 | 29 | | contributions; and17 |
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| 30 | 30 | | WHEREAS, she was further invited to multiple presidential inaugural ceremonies, including18 |
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| 31 | 31 | | those of Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, and was the recipient19 |
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| 32 | 32 | | of both the Commemorative Presidential Print Award and the National Resource Defense20 |
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| 33 | 33 | | Council Award; and21 |
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| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, a woman of boundless generosity and warmth, she was known for her22 |
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| 35 | 35 | | hospitality, her legendary home-cooked Sunday dinners, and her ability to make anyone feel23 |
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| 36 | 36 | | like family; and24 |
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| 37 | 37 | | WHEREAS, she found joy in nurturing both her community and her garden, winning Yard25 |
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| 38 | 38 | | of the Year multiple times and transforming her front yard into an unwritten landmark in26 |
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| 39 | 39 | | Fairburn; and27 |
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| 40 | 40 | | WHEREAS, she was united in love and marriage to her husband, Lawrence, and together28 |
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| 41 | 41 | | they were blessed with seven remarkable children, Lawrence, Alford Sr., Jane, Shanterria,29 |
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| 42 | 42 | | Cheryl, Bobby, and Kimberly, as well as 22 wonderful grandchildren and four beloved30 |
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| 43 | 43 | | great-grandchildren; and31 |
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| 44 | 44 | | WHEREAS, a compassionate and devoted woman, Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold will32 |
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| 45 | 45 | | long be remembered for her love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed33 |
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| 46 | 46 | | by all who had the great fortune of knowing her.34 |
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| 47 | 47 | | H. R. 226 |
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| 48 | 48 | | - 2 - 25 LC 112 2905 |
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| 49 | 49 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that |
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| 50 | 50 | | 35 |
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| 51 | 51 | | the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Essie Frankie Mae Stegall36 |
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| 52 | 52 | | Arnold and express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.37 |
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| 53 | 53 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized38 |
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| 54 | 54 | | and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the39 |
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| 55 | 55 | | family of Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold.40 |
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| 56 | 56 | | H. R. 226 |
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| 57 | 57 | | - 3 - |
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