HOUSE RESOLUTION 9

(By Delegates Rohrbach, Linville, Mandt, Hornbuckle, Worrell and Lovejoy

on Behalf of All Members of the House)

[Introduced February 7, 2020]

            Memorializing the life of the Honorable Jody Guthrie Smirl, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and public servant.

            Whereas, Jody Smirl was born in Mobile, Alabama, on August 30, 1935, to the late Raymond Booth Guthrie and Emma Jeanne Cole Guthrie; and

            Whereas, Jody was a proud graduate of Auburn University and she was a true southern gentlewoman; and

            Whereas, Jody was married to her devoted husband of 64 years, Dan W. Smirl, and they were the proud parents of two sons, Thomas Booth “Tommy” Smirl and Daniel Marvin “Danny” Smirl.  She was also grandmother to three granddaughters, Dr. Sydnee Smirl McElroy, Julia Taylor Smirl, and Rileigh Booth Smirl, who was born on the same day 67 years later, and two great-granddaughters, Charlie Gail and Cooper Renee McElroy; and

            Whereas, Jody was a member of First Presbyterian Church and she was a member of many organizations including the League of Women Voters; Triad; Big Green Club and Foundation; Huntington Museum of Arts; Friends of Public TV; Ivy Club; Regency Club; Kentucky Colonel; Friends of the Library; Rotary Anns; Board of Directors, KYOWVA; Goodwill Industries; former President of the Huntington Woman’s Club; Board of Directors for Green Acres Regional Center; YWCA; YMCA; and a former member for many years and former vice president of the Huntington-Cabell Republican Women.  She also received the “Outstanding Woman of Huntington” Award in 1974 and 1996; and

            Whereas, Jody G. Smirl was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1966 and was reelected in 1968-72; 1984; and 1994-2002 becoming the most re-elected woman in the House at that time.  She was also elected three times to be a Delegate to the Republican National Convention; and

            Whereas, Jody will be remembered for her commitment to the people she served and her unwavering determination to stand up for those in need; and

            Whereas, Sadly, the Honorable Jody G. Smirl passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, with her husband and sons by her side; and

            Whereas, Jody Smirl will be sadly missed by her family and those whose lives she touched; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Delegates:

            That the House of Delegates hereby memorializes the life of the Honorable Jody G. Smirl, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and public servant; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates hereby extends its sincere sympathy at the passing of the Honorable Jody G. Smirl; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable Jody G. Smirl.