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Celebrating the life of Brenda Mozelle Barnett Lawson.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 15, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 19, 2026
WHEREAS, Brenda Mozelle Barnett Lawson, an esteemed educator and education administrator who served the students and families of Tazewell County for more than 40 years, died on July 13, 2025; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Richlands High School in 1967, Brenda Lawson earned a bachelor's degree in special education and a master's degree in supervision and administration in education from Radford University and a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and
WHEREAS, Brenda Lawson embraced the call to teach by joining the Tazewell County Public School system and assumed many roles to deepen her understanding of the schools she worked for, including instructional aide, school secretary, bus driver, junior high school teacher, and elementary school teacher; and
WHEREAS, as a result of her experience and dedication, Brenda Lawson held various leadership positions with Tazewell County Public Schools over the years, including supervisor of special education, director of exceptional children, elementary school principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent, and ultimately division superintendent; and
WHEREAS, throughout her illustrious career in education, Brenda Lawson worked tirelessly to cultivate a learning environment in which her students could thrive socially, emotionally, and academically and her staff could achieve their goals; and
WHEREAS, in her retirement, Brenda Lawson taught education classes as an adjunct instructor at Southwest Virginia Community College, helping to prepare the next generation of educators for success in service to the Commonwealth's children; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout her life by her faith, Brenda Lawson grew up in the Jewell Ridge Presbyterian Church and was a longtime member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church, where she served as a vacation Bible school teacher, choir member, adult Sunday school teacher, moderator of the Women of the Church group, and trustee; and
WHEREAS, Brenda Lawson gave generously of her time in various other roles, including as a member of Abingdon Presbytery's Committee on Ministry, a moderator of Abingdon Presbytery and Abingdon Presbyterian Women, and a vice-moderator and moderator of the Presbyterian Children's Home of the Highlands; and
WHEREAS, Brenda Lawson helped to promote the well-being of her community as a supporter of Citizens for the Arts and various youth programs; and as a member of the Clinch Valley Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Richlands Chapter #104 of the Order of the Eastern Star; and
WHEREAS, Brenda Lawson will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her loving husband, Alfred, Jr.; her siblings, Christine, Kathy, and Kenneth; 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 Brenda Mozelle Barnett Lawson, a beloved member of the Tazewell County community whose light brightened countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Brenda Mozelle Barnett Lawson as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.