House Resolution 25
(By Delegates Staton and Sparks)
Commemorating the life and public service of Mae Shumate Belcher,
former member of the House of Delegates from Wyoming County.
Whereas, Mae Shumate Belcher was born on April 14, 1904, in
Saulsville, West Virginia; and
Whereas, In 1943 Mrs. Belcher received her teaching certificate
and bachelor's degree from Concord College. She attended Duke
University, Marshall College and Columbia University and received
her master's degree, principal's certificate and supervisor's
certificate from West Virginia University in 1950; and
Whereas, Mae Shumate Belcher dedicated much of her time and
talent to numerous civic and community activities as a member on
the Executive Committee of the West Virginia Association of School
Superintendents, a charter member and president of the Zeta Chapter
of Delta Kappa Gamma International Honorary Society for outstanding
women educators, chairwoman of the Wyoming County Chapter of Red
Cross, chairwoman of the Wyoming County Save the Children
Federation, president of the Wyoming County Classroom Teachers
Association, charter member of the Lt. Daniel Shumate Chapter of
the Daughters of the American Revolution, member of the Board of
Directors of the Wyoming County Sheltered Workshop, member of
Pineville First United Methodist Church, president of the United Methodist Women and member of the Board of Directors of the Beckley
Child Care Center Auxiliary; and
Whereas, Mrs. Belcher served two terms with distinction in the
House of Delegates, being elected in 1959 and 1963, and was the
first woman from Wyoming County elected to the House of Delegates;
and
Whereas, Mae Shumate Belcher passed away on Friday, August 6,
1999, at the age of 95; and
Whereas, Mae Shumate Belcher is survived by her husband of 74
years, Wirt Belcher, her sister, Ethel Evans of Beaumont, Texas,
and several nephews and nieces; and
Whereas, This House of Delegates, the people of West Virginia
and particularly the citizens of Pineville, Wyoming County, are
saddened by her death; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates hereby honors the life, work and
public service of Mae Shumate Belcher, former member of the House
of Delegates, and extends its deepest sympathy to her husband of 74
years, Wirt Belcher, and to her family; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
prepare certified copies of this resolution for the family of Mae
Shumate Belcher.