2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 700
Celebrating the life of Martha Franklin Brockinton Stone.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 18, 2025
Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2025
WHEREAS, Martha Franklin Brockinton Stone, an esteemed educator and an active and beloved member of the Richmond community, died on September 17, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Martha Stone graduated from Ashley Hall in Charleston and earned a degree from what is today Hollins University before embarking in 1949 upon a long and distinguished career at St. Catherine's School in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, after first teaching middle school biology and taking time to raise her three children, Martha Stone returned to St. Catherine's School and taught second grade for nearly two decades, contributing greatly to the academic, social, and emotional growth of her students; and
WHEREAS, following her retirement from St. Catherine's School in 1977, where she had also served for some time as director of the summer school and director of the boarding department, Martha Stone worked as a sales representative at what was formerly the Equitable Life Insurance Company and then as director of the Medical College of Virginia Alumni Association of Virginia Commonwealth University until her full retirement in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Martha Stone was highly involved with a number of organizations and clubs over her lifetime, including the Country Club of Virginia, the Woman's Club of Richmond, the Rebecca Motte and Commonwealth chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Hollins College Alumnae Board; and
WHEREAS, while living at Westminster Canterbury Richmond, Martha Stone made an impact through various committees, including as chair of the library's audio book collection, and she was presented the Laurel Award in 2006 for her meaningful contributions to the community as a volunteer; and
WHEREAS, Martha Stone was happiest of all when spending quality time with her family, whether vacationing on the Cow Pasture River, traveling abroad with her daughters, or playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, guided by her faith, Martha Stone enjoyed worship and fellowship with her community at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Richmond, where she served on the board of the Women of the Church and taught the Lydian Women's Bible class for many years; and
WHEREAS, Martha Stone will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her children, Franklin, Martha, and Robert, Jr., and their families and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Martha Franklin Brockinton Stone, a treasured member of the Richmond community whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Martha Franklin Brockinton Stone as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.