2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 101
Celebrating the life of Virginia Estelle Phillips Bell.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 2, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 5, 2026
WHEREAS, Virginia Estelle Phillips Bell, a distinguished member of the Mecklenburg County community died on November 13, 2025, at the incredible age of 111; and
WHEREAS, born on January 29, 1914, Virginia Bell was a witness to nearly every major event of the 20th century, from World War I and the Great Depression to World War II, the civil rights movement, the Moon landing, and the rise of modern technology; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Bell and her late husband, Henry, lovingly raised four children and spent her entire adult life on their family farm, where they grew tobacco, worked the land, and built a home filled with love, faith, and hard work; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Bell was widely known for the exceptional care she provided to her family and to the entire North View community, generously sharing the harvest from her garden, offering kindness to her neighbors, and uplifting all who crossed her path; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Bell took great pride in the tidiness and beauty of her home, both inside and out, tending to her yard, her flowers, and her surroundings with diligence and joy; she was hailed as the “Queen of the Kitchen,” whose coconut pies and fried chicken were renowned among family members and friends; and