[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                          HONORING MAMIE VEST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2015

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and Representative Bob 
Goodlatte, I submit these remarks in honor of the life of Mamie Vest of 
Floyd and Roanoke, Virginia. Mamie was born on August 9, 1938, and was 
the youngest child of Deputy Sheriff William Lewis Phillips and Cordova 
Quesenberry Phillips.
  Though a native of Floyd County, Mamie's career in art was launched 
by an internship in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Delmar Studios 
photography business. She returned to Roanoke, where she went on to 
enjoy her career in advertising, design, and public relations. She also 
married the love of her life, Earl Stewart Vest.
  Mamie worked as a graphic artist for Roanoke Engraving, became 
director of art services at Brand Edmonds Advertising, and--by the age 
of 28--founded her own independent business, Mamie Vest Associates. 
Additionally, Mamie also served as a legislative aide in both the 
Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, as well as a long-time advisor 
to Representative Goodlatte.
  Between the 1970s and 1990s, Mamie created and directed advertising 
for over 80 local, state, and federal Republican campaigns. She was a 
talented and fierce trailblazer and, in recognition of her work in 
advertising, Mamie won the American Advertising Federation's Silver 
Medal Award in 1982.
  In addition to being politically active, Mamie was an active member 
of our community. She was an active member of the Roanoke City Sign 
Ordinance Committee, served as Chairman of the Roanoke City Arts 
Commission, and served as the Roanoke Valley Coordinator for the 
Virginia Bicentennial Commission. Mamie also was appointed by Governor 
Linwood Holton to the Consumer Credit Study Commission, by Governor 
John Dalton to the Advisory Committee on Furnishing and Interpreting 
the Executive Mansion, and by Governor George Allen to the Board of 
Trustees of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
  Regrettably, Mamie passed away on November 17, 2015. She is survived 
by her husband of 56 years, her granddaughter Sedona Marguerite Hanks, 
as well as her sister and brother-in-law, George and Ruth Heafner of 
Greensboro, N.C., Helen Mabry of Cherryville, N.C.; sister-in-law, 
Barbara Vest of Maryland. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, 
great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
  Mamie Vest was dedicated to her work and her family. She had a 
tremendous impact on our community and, though she will be greatly 
missed by many, she will long be remembered. We are both honored to 
have called her a friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mamie's 
family and loved ones. May God give them comfort and peace.

                          ____________________