Read the full stored bill text
Celebrating the life of Virginia Estelle Phillips Bell.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 2, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 5, 2026
WHEREAS, Virginia Estelle Phillips Bell, a distinguished member of the Mecklenburg County community died on November 13, 2025, at the incredible age of 111; and
WHEREAS, born on January 29, 1914, Virginia Bell was a witness to nearly every major event of the 20th century, from World War I and the Great Depression to World War II, the civil rights movement, the Moon landing, and the rise of modern technology; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Bell and her late husband, Henry, lovingly raised four children and spent her entire adult life on their family farm, where they grew tobacco, worked the land, and built a home filled with love, faith, and hard work; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Bell was widely known for the exceptional care she provided to her family and to the entire North View community, generously sharing the harvest from her garden, offering kindness to her neighbors, and uplifting all who crossed her path; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Bell took great pride in the tidiness and beauty of her home, both inside and out, tending to her yard, her flowers, and her surroundings with diligence and joy; she was hailed as the “Queen of the Kitchen,” whose coconut pies and fried chicken were renowned among family members and friends; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Bell was a lifelong member of North View Baptist Church, where she worshipped faithfully for decades and remained spiritually active even after moving to an assisted living facility at the age of 100, participating fully in religious and recreational activities; and
WHEREAS, upon her 111th birthday in 2025, Virginia Bell was the oldest known living person in the Commonwealth and the 62nd oldest living person in the United States; she inspired others through her grace, humility, personal strength, and enduring faith; and
WHEREAS, the beloved matriarch of a large family, Virginia Bell will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children and their families and 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 Virginia Estelle Phillips Bell, a supercentenarian and a vibrant member of the Mecklenburg County community; 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 Virginia Estelle Phillips Bell as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.