HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 34

(By Delegates Thompson and Hicks)

[Introduced March 2, 2017]

Requesting the Commissioner of the Division of Highways to name bridge number 50-152-5.70 (50A112), at longitude 37.99842 and latitude -82.40667, locally known as the Missouri Branch Beam Span, carrying West Virginia Route 152 over the West Fork of Twelvepole Creek, the “Curtis ‘Pap’ and Millie ‘Mammie’ Asbury Bridge.”

Whereas, Curtis Asbury was born on September 24, 1917, in Wayne, West Virginia, and his devoted wife Millie Ferguson was born on April 24, 1924, and this couple was married in 1939; and

Whereas, Curtis and Millie Asbury established, owned and operated Asbury's Grocery located at the entrance to Cabwaylingo Park Road for fifty-two years. The grocery store became a vital source for community members. For five generations, the store not only provided necessary food and other goods but also became a meeting place for community members to gather in the mornings and evenings to discuss everything from politics to family life. It was the bus stop where school children of all ages would go and be met with a smile, a hug, and a piece of fruit or candy; and

Whereas, Almost every person in the community of Dunlow, West Virginia, has been touched by Curtis and Millie's kindness and generosity. The love that they both had for our community was displayed by their hardworking, gentle, giving spirits. They were devoted to making our small community a better place to live by always extending a helping hand, providing jobs, caring for the elderly and encouraging and guiding the youth. They helped develop and organize our small community by creating local churches, directing Sunday school classes, and working to fulfill the needs of the entire community. They treated everyone as their own family and were lovingly referred to as everyone's "Mammie" and "Pap". Curtis and Millie Asbury have touched every family in this small community and they should be honored by having this bridge named to commemorate them; and

Whereas, This dedication would serve as an on-going reminder of Curtis and Millie's commitment to making our community a better place to live and to making our citizens better people; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 50-152-5.70 (50A112), at longitude 37.99842 and latitude -82.40667, locally known as the Missouri Branch Beam Span, carrying West Virginia Route 152 over the West Fork of Twelvepole Creek, the “Curtis ‘Pap’ and Millie ‘Mammie’ Asbury Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to create and erect signs at both ends of the bridge proclaiming the bridge the “Curtis ‘Pap’ and Millie ‘Mammie’ Asbury Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.