[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING THORA JERVEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2012

  Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in 
memory of Thora Jervey, a beloved matriarch of the Radford community in 
Southwest Virginia. Mrs. Jervey left us on January 31, 2012.
  Born in 1929, Thora spent much of her childhood in southern 
California. She graduated from Whittier College in 1951 and married her 
husband, Ed, the same year. Thora and Ed moved to Radford, VA, in 1961, 
where she quickly became an active member of the community. Thora 
founded ``The Lamplighters'' and led the campaign for a new library in 
Radford. Thora was also responsible for founding the Radford Clothing 
Bank in 1982. It now serves hundreds of needy individuals each year.
  She taught at Dublin Elementary School for 26 years, impacting 
countless students. Thora volunteered throughout the community, 
including helping to start Radford Elf Shelf, Books for Babies, the 
Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread program, and a nationally recognized 
newspaper recycling effort. Thora was also an active member of the 
Radford Women's Club and Grove United Methodist Church. Despite being 
confined to a wheelchair for many years, she never let her disability 
get in the way. Until the time of her death, Thora continued as a 
member of the Radford Clothing Bank board and wrote a column for the 
Radford News Journal.
  Thora was an avid bridge player and loved to travel. Along with her 
husband Ed, Thora visited every continent, including Antarctica. Thora 
is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ed; three sons, David, Warren, 
and Tom; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Phillips Jervey; and three 
grandchildren, Katie, Brett, and Peyton.
  Those who knew her well are heard to talk of her generosity, 
kindness, and determination, which have made the City of Radford a 
better place to live. I am honored to pay tribute to this great woman's 
many contributions. Her legacy and influence will be long remembered in 
the Radford community.

                          ____________________