HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 103
(By Delegate Schoen)
Requesting the Division of Highways to designate the intersection
of new U.S. Route 35 and Hurricane Creek Road the "Wilma Ellen
Hodges Leslie Memorial."
Whereas, Wilma Ellen Hodges was born on January 24, 1929, in
Hurricane West Virginia to the late Stephen and Marguerite Erwin
Hodges; and
Whereas, Wilma Ellen Hodges married Jacob Fredrick Leslie on
September 21, 1947, and they shared 45 years and nine children
together until Fred's death in 1993; and
Whereas, Wilma and Fred played an important role in the growth
of Putnam County when they started Leslie Lumber Company and began
the housing development industry in Putnam County in the early
1960's. They were responsible for numerous housing developments,
including Shawnee Estates, Riverdale Estates, Woodland Forest,
Teays Village, and Woods and Irons, before their retirement; and
Whereas, Wilma Ellen Hodges Leslie was tragically taken from
her loved ones in an automobile accident on July 4, 2009, at the
intersection of new U.S. Route 35 and Hurricane Creek Road; and
Whereas, Wilma Ellen Hodges Leslie is survived by Marilyn L.
Christiani and her husband Frank of Scottsdale, Arizona, daughter in law Beverly Leslie of Hurricane, Charlotte Leslie of Charleston,
William E. and wife Tina, C.S. "Butch" Leslie and his wife Janet,
Robert "Bob" W. Leslie and his wife Laura all of Winfield, Anita
Yeager and her husband Glen of Scott Depot, Debra L. Chapman and
her husband John W. III, of Hurricane and daughter in law Sandra S.
Leslie of Winfield; two of Wilma's sons, John Frederick and Michael
Joseph Leslie, proceeded her in death; and Wilma is survived by
twenty-six grandchildren; and
Whereas, Wilma Ellen Hodges Leslie was devoted to her children
and family, and had a unique capacity for making each child or
grandchild, sibling, niece, or nephew feel special and loved; and
Whereas, Wilma Ellen Hodges Leslie was a faithful member of Mt.
Vernon Baptist Church; a Past Worthy Matron and a Charter member of
the Buffalo Chapter No 150, Order of the Eastern Star; a dedicated
member of the Putnam County Republican Committee for many years; a
charter member of the Women's Club; a former board member of
Shawnee Hills Mental Health Center; and was instrumental in the
movement of education for mentally disabled children in Putnam
County; and
Whereas, It is only fitting and proper that Wilma Ellen Hodges
Leslie's many good works and important contributions to Putnam
County be remembered and acknowledged; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to designate
the intersection of new U.S. Route 35 and Hurricane Creek Road the "Wilma Ellen Hodges Leslie Memorial"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested
to have made and be placed, signs or other appropriate markers,
identifying the intersection as the "Wilma Ellen Hodges Leslie
Memorial"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Wilma
Ellen Hodges Leslie and the Secretary of the Department of
Transportation.