2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 791

Celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. Milton Roy Blount.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 19, 2025

WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Milton Roy Blount, an esteemed faith leader and senior pastor of New Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Portsmouth, died on January 10, 2025; and

WHEREAS, born in historic South Norfolk County and educated in Portsmouth Public Schools, Milton Blount earned a bachelor's degree from Norfolk State University before pursuing further studies at Virginia Union University and Regent University; and

WHEREAS, at the age of seventeen, Milton Blount embarked upon his illustrious career as a faith leader when he became an associate minister and was licensed and ordained at New Mount Olivet Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, after serving as senior pastor of Poplar Lawn Baptist Church in Surry County from 1987 to 1992, where he contributed greatly to the growth of the church and its ministries, Milton Blount was installed as the fourth pastor of New Mount Olivet Baptist Church on January 31, 1993; and

WHEREAS, as pastor, mentor, and friend, Milton Blount provided the congregation at New Mount Olivet Baptist Church with uplifting spiritual guidance, joyful occasions for fellowship and worship, and abundant opportunities for community outreach; and

WHEREAS, with extraordinary love and compassion, Milton Blount made a profound impact in the community by standing with and supporting an untold number of individuals and families in their time of need; and

WHEREAS, Milton Blount's legacy as a faith leader included his involvement with the Hampton University Ministers Conference and Virginia Baptist State Convention and past service as the president of Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers' Conference and moderator of Sharon Missionary Baptist Association; and

WHEREAS, Milton Blount had a deep concern for the well-being of others and gave generously of his time to a number of local organizations and agencies, including PORTCO, Inc., the Portsmouth Department of Behavioral Healthcare Services, and the Children's Home of Virginia Baptist, which he served as a member of the board of trustees; and

WHEREAS, Milton Blount was the president of both the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Steering Committee and Church and Community in Action and worked tirelessly to ensure the voices in his community were heard; and

WHEREAS, Milton Blount will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 45 years, Claudette; his daughter, Crystal, and her family; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Dr. Milton Roy Blount, a beloved member of the Portsmouth community whose devotion, integrity, and unwavering faith inspired all who knew him; 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 the Reverend Dr. Milton Roy Blount as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.