SLS 11RS-682 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 18
BY SENATOR WILLARD-LEWIS
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences on the death of Lavinia Strong Lundy, age 108.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of Lavinia Strong Lundy, aged one hundred eight.3
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the passing of Lavinia Strong Lundy,4
age one hundred eight, on April 12, 2011, has been learned; and5
WHEREAS, Lavinia Strong, the youngest of seven children of the late Viola and6
Breau Strong, was born June 16, 1902, in Donaldsonville, Louisiana; and 7
WHEREAS, she was married to her late husband, George Moody Lundy, for thirty8
eight years, but never had children of her own; and 9
WHEREAS, at the age of five, Lavinia and family moved to New Orleans, where she10
resided until August 2005; and11
WHEREAS, having lost her home during Hurricane Katrina, she spent four months12
in Beaumont, Texas, and then relocated in January 2006 to Danville, California, where she13
lived until her death; and14
WHEREAS, Lavinia Lundy received her formal education in the New Orleans Public15
School System at Thomas Lafon, McDonough #6, and Xavier Prep High School; received16
her B.A. Degree in Education from Xavier University (where for many years prior to her17
death she was the eldest alumnus); and obtained her M.A. Degree in Early Childhood18 SR NO. 18
SLS 11RS-682 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
Education from the University of Chicago; and1
WHEREAS, she dedicated her professional life to 42 years of teaching, including a2
Sylvanie Williams Elementary School on Martin Luther King Boulevard, and leading by3
example through volunteerism, community service, and political activism, being4
Flint-Goodridge Hospital's first director of volunteer services and chairwoman of the first5
Ebony Fashion Fair sponsored by the hospital's Women's Auxiliary; and6
WHEREAS, often asked about her longevity, Lavinia Lundy's answer was said to be7
"Live one day at a time and do something for someone every day; do everything in8
moderation; take joy in giving, not in receiving; never give up on your dreams; and give9
thanks to God always," and quickly adding with a bit of humor that "I bathed in the Fountain10
of Youth when I visited Florida years ago."; and11
WHEREAS, Lavinia Lundy was affectionately known by relatives as "Auntie", was12
known for her sharp mind and credited public speaking, traveling the world, and arts and13
crafts with improving her memory; and had a motto "to be a well-rounded person by14
participating in activities that will improve my memory, my relationship with others, and15
most of all my relationship with God"; and16
WHEREAS, she was an active member of Union Bethel AME Church in New17
Orleans; a fundraiser for numerous causes; and a member of the Xavier University Alumni18
Association, New Orleans Council on Aging, Senior Voting Caucus, Rosenwald Chapter of19
the Golden Agers, Volunteers of America, Senior Citizens of Central City, Senior Citizens20
of Kingsley House, Senior Citizens of Our Lady of Lourdes Center, and the San Ramon,21
Calif., Senior Citizen Center; and22
WHEREAS, it has been said that now, with umbrella in hand, she is strutting through23
the pearly gates, down the streets of gold, to the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In,"24
shouting "Laissez les bons temps rouler."; and25
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and all of her26
siblings; and27
WHEREAS, Lavinia Strong Lundy, affectionately known as "Auntie," is survived28
by sister-in-law Dorothy Bailey; nephews and nieces Norman Bailey, Jr., and wife Louise,29
Gwendolyn Bailey and husband James Evans, Hazel Bailey Tanner, Gilbert Bailey and30 SR NO. 18
SLS 11RS-682 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
ex-wife Rosemary, Cheryl Bailey Creecy Awobamise and husband Bola; and a host of great1
and great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana3
does hereby express condolences to the family of Lavinia Strong Lundy on the occasion of4
her passing at age one hundred eight.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the6
Lavinia Strong Lundy family.7
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Willard-Lewis SR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of Lavinia Strong Lundy, age 108.