THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503170196
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Former Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas received the Lifetime Achievement Award last Sunday from the Virginia Beach chapter of the NAACP, headlining two dozen other honorees at the 1995 Image Awards banquet.
Thomas, a Norfolk native, became the youngest and first black justice ever appointed to the state Supreme Court at age 32. He joined the bench of the state's highest court in 1983 and stepped down in 1989 because of a medical condition.
He is a partner with the law firm of Hunton & Williams in Richmond, which he first joined as an associate in 1975.
The Virginia Beach NAACP's awards banquet was an inaugural event designed to recognize individuals, organizations and businesses that present and project positive images in Hampton Roads.
Also honored:
Dr. L.D. Britt, chairman of the Surgery Department at Eastern Virginia Medical School and chief of trauma surgery at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Thomas A. Barton, president and owner of Beach Ford
Dr. Edward E. Brickell, president of Eastern Virginia Medical School
Bernard T. Holmes, attorney with Holmes & Edmonds
Maurice B. Jackson, immediate past president of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations
Tim Jackson, member of Virginia Beach School Board
Richard Kline, president and owner of R.K. Chevrolet
Judge Woodrow Lewis, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Virginia Beach
Reba McClanan, former member of Virginia Beach City Council
Rosa L. Norman, community activist in Seatack
Congressman Owen B. Pickett, member of U.S. House of Representatives
Sen. Kenneth Stolle, member of Virginia Senate
Susie D. Whitehurst, president of Seatack/Atlantis Civic League
Kurt Williams, WTKR Television weekend anchor and reporter
Harrison B. Wilson, president of Norfolk State University
Image Awards were presented to the following organizations and businesses:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Norfolk chapter
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Virginia Beach chapter
Council of Civic Organizations
Grand Affairs, owned by Gordon and Ann Christie
33rd Masonic District, Prince Hall Masons
Ministers Forum of Virginia Beach
Minority Roundtable of Hampton Roads
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Norfolk chapter
Virginia Beach Beacon ILLUSTRATION: 1983 file photo
John Charles Thomas quit the state Supreme Court in 1989 for medical
reasons.
by CNB