Virginia HR 370: Celebrating the life of Patricia Dianne Redcross.

Bill Text

2024SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSERESOLUTIONNO.370
Celebrating the life of Patricia Dianne Redcross.
AgreedtobytheHouseofDelegates,March8,2024
WHEREAS, Patricia Dianne Redcross, an esteemed choral director and music educator and a beloved
member of the Hampton Roads community, died on May 15, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross graduated valedictorian from the historic Union High School in
Bowling Green and earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Howard University before
continuing graduate studies in music education at Teachers College, Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross began her career as an educator in Washington, D.C., in 1974 and five
years later relocated to Hampton, ultimately joining Newport News Public Schools in 1980 and serving
as the choral director of Hines Middle School for 30 of her 31 years with the school system; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross' commitment to the success of her students was evident in the superior
ratings she and her students regularly received when performing in choral music festivals over the years;
and
WHEREAS, in 1983, Dianne Redcross and her husband, Roscoe, founded R-D Music Studio in
Hampton Roads, which later expanded into the Hampton Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama in
2000, providing many young people of Hampton Roads with quality instruction in the performing arts;
and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross founded the Voices of Unity Choir, composed of children from Carver
Memorial Presbyterian Church and St. Augustine's Episcopal Church of Newport News, in the
mid-1980s and led the choir for more than 35 years, directing performances at churches and at other
distinguished venues around the country; and
WHEREAS, Dianne Redcross will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her loving husband
of 47 years, Roscoe; her children, Jonathan and Julian, and their families; her mother, Doris Nelson; her
siblings, Caroline Nelson, Dale Grigsby, and Sharon Nelson-Craig; and numerous other family members
and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Patricia Dianne
Redcross, a cherished member of the Hampton Roads community whose legacy of service will be an
inspiration to others for years to come; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution
for presentation to the family of Patricia Dianne Redcross as an expression of the House of Delegates'
respect for her memory.
ENROLLED
HR370ER