2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104361D

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 82

Offered February 4, 2026

Celebrating the life of Rose Gartrell Vann.

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Patron—Locke

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WHEREAS, Rose Gartrell Vann, an active community leader in Hampton and an educator who inspired and uplifted countless youths over the course of her career, died on November 26, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Rose Vann grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and excelled in academics from a young age; she continued her education at what is now Savannah State University, where she was selected as Ms. Savannah State in 1951; and

WHEREAS, Rose Vann met her future husband, Claude, while he was stationed at a nearby United States air force base; after their marriage, she supported his distinguished military career and raised their growing family as they traveled to postings in England, Morocco, Southeast Asia, and across the United States; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1955, Rose and Claude Vann cultivated a shared vision for real estate investment, and the couple developed a portfolio of rental homes and other properties in multiple states; and

WHEREAS, for many years, Rose Vann also worked as a teacher, serving students at the elementary school, junior high school, or high school levels in Georgia, Maine, California, Massachusetts, and Virginia; and

WHEREAS, over the course of her career, Rose Vann earned a reputation as a devoted educator, who instilled a strong sense of discipline and respect in her students, while helping them to achieve their fullest potential in and out of the classroom; and

WHEREAS, after her well-earned retirement as a teacher, Rose Vann dedicated her life to community service in the Hampton area as a leader in the Newport News-Hampton Chapter of the Continental Societies, Inc., a life member of the Hampton Branch of the NAACP, and a Silver Star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Claude Vann, Jr., Rose Vann will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Avis, Claude III, and Doris, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Rose Gartrell Vann, a former educator and a highly admired resident of Hampton; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Rose Gartrell Vann as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.