2026 SESSION

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 92

Commending Joyce Williams.

Agreed to by the Senate, March 5, 2026

WHEREAS, Joyce Williams has dedicated her life to improving the lives of people and empowering children to lead successful lives as an educator for 35 years in Roanoke County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Joyce Williams was recognized as the Virginia Teacher of the Year in social studies in 1982 and later became the first woman to serve as a middle school principal in Roanoke County; and

WHEREAS, in her retirement, Joyce Williams continues to serve others as a member and leader of numerous volunteer organizations and to shape lives as a Sunday school teacher at Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke County; and

WHEREAS, for her service on the advisory council of the Roanoke Local Office on Aging (LOA) and for helping lead hunger prevention programs like “Let's Give Lunch” and “Soup for Seniors,” Joyce Williams was recognized with the LOA's 2014 Babe and Sidney Louis Memorial Award; and

WHEREAS, Joyce Williams continues her service to educators through her active leadership in the Roanoke County Retired Teachers Association and the Virginia Retired Teachers Association, who honored her with the Most Active Member award in 2023; and

WHEREAS, Joyce Williams has served in several roles as a devoted member and volunteer for AARP Virginia, including as community ambassador, president of the AARP Southwest Roanoke Chapter, and president of AARP Virginia, the association's highest volunteer position in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, as the president of AARP Virginia, Joyce Williams has tirelessly elevated the voices of millions of older Virginians through her advocacy and established herself as a nationwide AARP leader committed to empowering, unleashing, and celebrating volunteer service; and

WHEREAS, beyond her service as an educator and community leader, Joyce Williams is the loving wife of 57 years to Dean Williams; mother of Lisa Williams and Jeffrey Dean; beloved “Gran” of Jordan Williams, Haley Furrow, Jeffrey Williams, Jr., and Kendall Cypher; and the proud “Great-Gran” of Tatum Furrow and Stephen Cypher IV; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Joyce Williams hereby be commended for modeling a life of faith, family, leadership, and service in her work to improve the lives of people close to her and across the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Joyce Williams as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for her contributions to Roanoke County and the Commonwealth.