[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 171 (Thursday, October 1, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SHELBY HAMLETT

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2020

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Shelby Paisley 
Hamlett, who passed away on September 14, 2020 at the age of 82. Shelby 
was dedicated to helping others in an array of volunteer and charitable 
organizations.
  Shelby was born in Wytheville, Virginia on August 20, 1938, to Alton 
and Rachael Paisley. She grew up in the town and then attended Hollins 
University, which took her to the Roanoke area where she would spend 
much of the rest of her life.
  Shelby was deeply devoted to several causes and organizations that 
sought to improve lives in her community and around the world. At the 
age of 18, she became involved in the General Federation of Women's 
Clubs (GFWC), starting with the Brambleton Jr. Woman's Club in Blue 
Ridge District, GFWC Virginia. The organization became a lifelong 
commitment, and Shelby went on to serve in post after post, including 
Virginia President 1980 to 1982 and ultimately International President 
2000 to 2002. In this role, she helped develop the GFWC Leadership 
Education and Development Seminar, attended the Women's World Vision 
Conference in China, and participated in an Operation Smile Medical 
mission.
  Her passion for helping others extended to other causes. I met Shelby 
when I served on the board of Easter Seals Virginia, an organization 
devoted to helping Americans living with disabilities, which she 
assisted in creating and longed served as a member of the Board of 
Directors. She was also on the national Board of Directors. As the 
local level, she was part of the Roanoke County PTA Association, helped 
develop special education classes for the county's schools, and was a 
longtime active member and deacon at Heights Community Church in 
Roanoke.
  Shelby is survived by her son David, brothers Monte and Randal 
Paisley, and several nieces and nephews. I would like to extend my 
condolences to them on their loss.

                          ____________________