Celebrating the life of Ann Cantey Payne.
House Joint Resolution 229 is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and memory of Ann Cantey Payne, a Richmond-area businesswoman, community volunteer, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The resolution recounts her early personal adversity, her marriage to Bob Payne, her support of his legal and judicial career, and her long-standing involvement in civic, church, and youth-serving organizations in Richmond.
The resolution also highlights her entrepreneurial work as cofounder of the specialty fabric store Cut It Out, later Creations, and her creative talents as a seamstress. It emphasizes her devotion to family, her love of learning and travel, and the many people and institutions she touched throughout her life. The measure concludes by expressing the General Assembly’s sorrow at her passing and directing the Clerk of the House to present a copy of the resolution to her family as a formal tribute.
HJ229 does not change state law, create new programs, or appropriate funds. As a ceremonial joint resolution, its effect is symbolic: it records the General Assembly’s recognition of Ann Cantey Payne’s contributions and authorizes the preparation of an official copy for her family. The only practical consequence is the public and legislative acknowledgment of her life and service.
The sentiment surrounding the resolution is uniformly positive and respectful. The bill passed both chambers and is framed entirely as an expression of sympathy, gratitude, and admiration for Ann Payne’s personal resilience, family devotion, business success, and community service. There is no evidence of opposition or controversy in the available record.
There are no notable points of contention in the bill text, voting history, or available discussion materials. Because this is a memorial resolution, the measure is noncontroversial by design and appears to have been adopted by unanimous or near-unanimous agreement in both chambers. Any discussion would likely have focused on honoring her legacy rather than debating policy.