2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 654

Celebrating the life of Gloria Williams Campbell.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 17, 2025

Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2025

WHEREAS, Gloria Williams Campbell, an esteemed civil rights activist, distinguished faith leader, and beloved member of the Danville community, died on January 23, 2025; and

WHEREAS, born in Danville, Gloria Campbell was inspired to get involved in the city's civil rights movement by her father, who was a founder of the Pittsylvania County branch of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Campbell played a pivotal role in the Danville civil rights movement in the early 1960s through her involvement in the Bloody Monday protests on June 10, 1963, and other demonstrations; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout her life by her faith, Gloria Campbell cofounded Bible Way Cathedral in Danville in 1953 alongside her husband, the late Apostle Lawrence G. Campbell, Sr., where she went on to lead countless parishioners in their spiritual journeys as the church's first lady; and

WHEREAS, Gloria Campbell was a generous mentor to an untold number of young people and future leaders over the years, guiding them on their paths to becoming influential members of their communities; and

WHEREAS, in honor of her legacy of service, Gloria Campbell was presented a certificate of recognition by Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax in 2018 and the President's Award by the Pittsylvania County branch of the NAACP a year later; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, Lawrence, Gloria Campbell will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her children, Lawrence, Jr., Philip, Allethia, Angela, and Hope, 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 Gloria Williams Campbell, a revered member of the Danville community whose kindness, compassion, courage, and grace inspired all who knew her; 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 Gloria Williams Campbell as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.