Former Chair, Sen. Vernon Malone Remembered
April 20, 2009 - State Senator Vernon Malone, who served as the Wake County Board of Education's first chairman in 1976, passed away on Saturday, April 18.
 Senator Vernon Malone (left) and Dr. John Murphy are recognized at a 2006 Wake Education Partnership event for their leadership as WCPSS's first board chair and superintendent. |
Listen to passage of resolution honoring Vernon Malone by Wake County Board of Education 6.5 minute mp3 file |
Resolution Honoring Vernon Malone adobe acrobat file |
"He was a strong supporter of education for all children," said Rosa Gill, chair of the Wake County Board of Education. "He believed in equal access to opportunities for our students to become all they wanted to be in life."
In his lifetime Malone served in a variety of public and volunteer leadership positions, always placing a high priority on children. He was first elected to the North Carolina Senate in 2002 and had begun his fourth term. Before that he was a Wake County Commissioner from 1984 to 2002, serving for a number of years as chairman. He was a member of the Wake County Board of Education for six years.
"Our community has benefited from Vernon Malone's leadership over the years," said WCPSS Superintendent Del Burns. "His work as Chair and as a member of the Board of Education helped create a culture that focuses on learning for all students, and that culture is present to this day."
Dr. John A. Murphy was hired by Malone's school board as WCPSS's first superintendent from 1976 to 1981. He is currently the Superintendent-in-Residence at the Watson School of Education at UNC-Wilmington.
"In my over 35 years working in public education, I consider Vernon Malone to be the most committed and dedicated community leader with whom I have ever had the pleasure of working," Murphy said. "His commitment to providing equal opportunities for all children reflects his vision for a society where all children can have the opportunity to be productive and contributing members. Vernon had the power to challenge the naysayers and the passion and courage to address the sensitive problems associated with desegregation. Vernon Malone has been a source of inspiration for me. He will be missed in the public arena as well as in my personal life."
A public viewing and visitation will be held on Wednesday, with funeral services held on Thursday at noon at Martin Street Baptist Church. (Details.)
Updated with podcast and resolution, April 21, 2009
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