07 LC 96 2721
House Resolution 785
By: Representatives Heard of the 114th,
McKillip of the 115th,
and Smith of the 113th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring and remembering the life of
educator Howard Burnette Stroud; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Howard Burnette Stroud was born
in Athens, Georgia, to the late George Edward and Emma Mae Flanigan
Stroud on March 31, 1930; and
WHEREAS, after his honorable service in
the United States army, Mr. Stroud earned his master's degree from
Morehouse College in Atlanta and taught in Clarke County Schools before
attaining further degrees at Atlanta University; and
WHEREAS, in addition to teaching, Howard
served Clarke County Schools in such administrative capacities as
counselor, principal, associate superintendent, acting superintendent,
and middle school and high school coordinator; and
WHEREAS, he carried himself with the
utmost dignity and compassion and lived according to the personal motto,
"There's nothing greater for me than to serve my fellow man. I feel
compelled to make my community the best it can be"; and
WHEREAS, he became a member of Mount
Pleasant Baptist Church at an early age and served faithfully as a
deacon and chairman of the Deacon Board; and
WHEREAS, as a result of his passion for
community involvement, he served as a board member of Athens Regional
Medical Center for 20 years, presiding as chairman for several years,
and was an active participant of such civic organizations as the Classic
City Center Authority, the Athens Technical Institute Board of
Directors, the East Athens Development Corporation, the Clarke County
NAACP, Kappa Alpha Psi, the Morton Theatre Corporation, the Athens
Symphony, and the Athens Area Retired Teachers Association; and
WHEREAS, his professional skills led him
to serve various boards beyond his local community, including the
National Association of Educators, the National Alliance of Black School
Educators, the National Association of Middle School Principals, and the
United Way of Northeast Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stroud's leadership was
instrumental in carrying Clarke County Schools through the tense period
of integration, and he is credited with bringing the Academic Decathlon
to the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, he was the first recipient of the
Howard B. Stroud Leadership Award, which was named in his honor, and his
numerous accolades include the Community Service Award in recognition of
his outstanding leadership and many selfless contributions to his fellow
man; and
WHEREAS, his immense dedication to his
community was surpassed only by his loving devotion to his family, and
he is survived by his loving wife, Bettye; son, Howard, Jr.; daughter,
Kesha; brothers, George, Jr., Charles, and Melvin; sisters, Erma Martin
and Barbara Benton; brother-in-law, Ronald Baker; aunt, Matilda Watson;
three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous other relatives,
students, colleagues, and friends; and
WHEREAS, in life he was an immeasurable
source of strength and encouragement for several generations of
Georgians; at his death it is fitting and proper that we offer our
sympathies to his family and friends.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor the life of
this distinguished Georgia educator and servant of the community, Howard
Burnette Stroud, express their deepest regret at his passing, and extend
their most sincere condolences to his family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of
the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an
appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of Howard Burnette
Stroud.