HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 69

(By Delegates Dillon and Coop-Gonzalez)

[February 28, 2025; Referred
to then committee on Energy and Public Works
then Rules ]

Requesting the Division of Highways to rename bridge number 30-3/5-13.59 (30A016) on County Route 3/5 in Mingo County, West Virginia, currently named the "Baisden Family Memorial Bridge," to be renamed "The Landen, Fannie, Katherine, Ab, and Laura Baisden Family Memorial Bridge."

Whereas, Landen Baisden, Sr. was born on January 5, 1928, and passed away on October 28, 2011. Fannie Baisden was born on March 5, 1926, and passed away on March 18, 2011. Landen and Fannie Baisden shared their life together for 65 years in Dingess, West Virginia and had six children: Myrtle Preece, Landen Baisden, James Ed Baisden, Gary Baisden, Bruce Baisden and a newborn son who passed away after only a few short days of life, Bobby Lee Baisden. They also had twenty grandchildren and thirty-five great-grandchildren at the time of their deaths; and

Whereas, Landen Baisden, Sr. was a coal miner before becoming disabled in a mining accident in 1959, when he was 32, that left him paralyzed. After being confined to a wheelchair, he took up several hobbies: Repairing children’s bicycles, collecting baseball cards, and bee keeping. He was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan and a member of the Mt. Hope Freewill Baptist Church. He loved spending time with his family and having people over to have church with him. He always gave great advice and no one ever heard him say a bad word about anyone; and

Whereas, Fannie Baisden was a stay-at-home mother and took care of her husband, Landen. She babysat all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She cooked dinner every Sunday for the entire family. Her hobbies were collecting whatnots and Barbie dolls. She attended church at the Mt. Hope Freewill Baptist; and

 Whereas, Katherine Baisden was born September 10, 1952, and left this world on February 2, 1992. She was married to Landen Baisden, Jr., and lived in Dingess. Together they had seven children: Tammy Runyon, Landen Baisden III, Jennifer Copley, Jason Baisden, Sarah Queen, Matthew Baisden and Amanda Kolkedy, and a stepdaughter, Machelle McCormick. Katherine Baisden loved children and would have loved the twenty grandchildren that there are now. She was able to only meet two of them before her death. She was a first grade teacher and her goal was that no student leave her classroom without being able to read. An award is given out in her honor every year at the Dingess Elementary School. She was also a Sunday school teacher and a church member where she sang in a gospel group and played piano; and

Whereas, Albert "Ab" Baisden was born April 20, 1902 to John Baisden and Matilda Ferrell Baisden and died on October 7, 1997. Albert, as a widower, married Laura Belle Marcum on February 27, 1940 at Dingess, West Virginia, who was born on Oct. 13, 1924 to James Harrison and Vina Mae Tacket Marcum and died Oct. 27, 2004; and

Whereas, Albert and Laura labored respectively to rear their prominent family of 16 children, the descendants of whom are now ubiquitous in the community, numbering over 400 in total.   Albert and Laura instilled a family work ethic which has led to descendants being engaged in occupations from chemists and engineers to teachers, nurses, miners, and doctors.  Albert worked faithfully as a coal miner at Island Creek Coal Company for 30 years and Laura labored domestically for the good of their family, taking care of children, the home, and farm.  Albert and Laura were stalwart members of the Church of Christ.  Albert was a member of the UMWA, Masonic Lodge #167 for 57 years, and a Scottish Rite 32nd degree Mason; and

Whereas, Albert and Laura Baisden touched many lives. Albert was known as a man of resolve and conviction.  Laura was known for her kindness and loving willingness to help others.  Ab and Laura Baisden forever shaped the communities of Dingess and Breeden; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate  these three individuals who meant so much to their family and their community and their contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to rename bridge number 30-3/5-13.59 (30A016) on County Route 3/5 in Mingo County, West Virginia, currently named the "Baisden Family Memorial Bridge," to be renamed "The Landen, Fannie, Katherine, Ab, and Laura Baisden Family Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the "The Landen, Fannie, Katherine, Ab, and Laura Baisden Family Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

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