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Celebrating the life of Virginia Mozell Jefferson Tyler.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 5, 2026
WHEREAS, Virginia Mozell Jefferson Tyler, the beloved matriarch of a large family and a pillar of the community in Sussex County, died on January 26, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Mozell Tyler grew up in the Grizzard community of Sussex County and was the third youngest of 10 children born to the late Giles and Lelian Jefferson; in her youth, she attended Jefferson Elementary School and began her journey in faith at Chapel Hill Baptist Church, both of which had been founded by her grandmother, Martha Jefferson; and
WHEREAS, over the course of her career, Mozell Tyler worked at the Emporia Garment Factory and Greensville County Public Schools, including as a cook and cafeteria manager, but she was best known in the community for her commitment to civic leadership and volunteer service; and
WHEREAS, inspired by her grandmother's activism, Mozell Tyler was a passionate advocate for civil rights and voting rights, who reliably volunteered to work at polling places during elections, and she was dedicated to empowering others to make a difference in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Mozell Tyler proudly supported election campaigns for her son, Rufus Tyler, Sr., who was elected to the Sussex County Board of Supervisors; her son, Welton Tyler, Sr., who served on the Brunswick County Board of Supervisors; and her daughter-in-law, Rosyln C. Tyler, who represented the residents of the 75th District in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2022; and
WHEREAS, Mozell Tyler expressed her joyful faith through song as a longtime member of the choir at Chapel Hill Baptist Church, the Volunteer Fellowship Choir, and the Voices of Southside Choir, which made her an honorary member in 2018; and
WHEREAS, Mozell Tyler was well-known for her stylish fashion sense and sumptuous Southern cooking; her Sunday dinners provided an opportunity for her family to bond over delicious home-cooked meals, stay connected with each other's lives, and discuss issues affecting the community and the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Mozell Tyler instilled in her children and grandchildren an enduring appreciation for the importance of a strong work ethic, a good education, respect for themselves and others, and the power of faith; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband of 79 years, Calvin Tyler, Sr., and her adopted son, William Darkins, Mozell Tyler will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her seven children, Calvin Tyler, Jr., Rita Nathan, Linrod Tyler, Rochelle Tyler, Rufus Tyler, Sr., Nathelia Tyler-Wyche, and Welton Tyler, Sr., and their families, 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 Virginia Mozell Jefferson Tyler, a highly admired volunteer leader who touched countless lives in and around Sussex County; 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 Mozell Jefferson Tyler as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.