By: Counts H.R. No. 320 73R5088 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The death of Marilyn Keaton Newsom on December 26, 1-2 1992, has brought a great loss to the many friends and relatives of 1-3 this distinguished West Texas civic and community leader; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The daughter of Herbert G. and Martha Keaton, 1-5 Mrs. Newsom was a native and longtime resident of Big Spring and a 1-6 graduate of Tarleton State University and the Harris College of 1-7 Nursing at Texas Christian University; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Known throughout the community as the co-owner of 1-9 Newsom Food Stores in Big Spring and Lamesa, she enjoyed a 1-10 successful professional career, displaying her acumen and industry 1-11 in the management of private business interests; and 1-12 WHEREAS, A deeply religious woman, she was a board director 1-13 and devout lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church; 1-14 serving her church in a variety of ways, she joined the church's 1-15 choir at age 10 and earned prominence for her vocal abilities, 1-16 delighting the congregation for many years with her outstanding 1-17 performances at the church's Living Christmas Tree event; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Mrs. Newsom distinguished herself as an exceptional 1-19 musician; nurturing a love for music that continued as a high 1-20 school band member and as a performer in the Dallas Starlight Opera 1-21 Series, she was twice featured with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra 1-22 and sang with the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale for six 1-23 years; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Thoroughly committed to the betterment of others, 2-1 she contributed time, talent, and energy as a volunteer with the 2-2 Big Spring State Hospital, where she served as president of its 2-3 volunteer association, raised money for the patients' Christmas 2-4 fund, and entertained patients, their families, and friends with 2-5 musical renditions; in recognition of the countless contributions 2-6 she made to the hospital, Mrs. Newsom was honored as Volunteer of 2-7 the Year; and 2-8 WHEREAS, A woman of boundless energies, she made lasting 2-9 contributions to the community as a board member of a number of 2-10 worthy organizations, including the United Way of Big Spring/Howard 2-11 County, the YMCA, and the Canterbury Retirement Center; and 2-12 WHEREAS, In addition, Mrs. Newsom contributed skill, 2-13 commitment, and unflagging enthusiasm as an active member of the 2-14 1948 Hyperian Club, the Blue Blazers, and the Ladies Duplicate 2-15 Bridge Association; in recognition of her expertise, she was 2-16 awarded the Life Master Award from the American Contract Bridge 2-17 League; and 2-18 WHEREAS, A devoted wife and mother of two sons, she was 2-19 vitally committed to the youth of her community and capably served 2-20 as a member of the PTA and also was involved in the Little League 2-21 and Amateur and Teenage Baseball; and 2-22 WHEREAS, In recognition of the many significant contributions 2-23 she made to her West Texas community, Mrs. Newsom was honored as 2-24 Woman of the Year by the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce in 2-25 1990; and 2-26 WHEREAS, Mrs. Newsom was a woman of great vision who 2-27 dedicated much of her life to serving the needs of her community; 3-1 though her special presence will be missed by all who knew her, her 3-2 spirit will surely live on in the hearts and minds of the many 3-3 people whose lives were touched by this exceptional lady; now, 3-4 therefore, be it 3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-6 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Marilyn Keaton Newsom 3-7 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her 3-8 devoted husband of 43 years, Don Newsom; to her two sons, Kent 3-9 Newsom and Dr. Gary Newsom; to her sister Margy Ledbetter; to her 3-10 two grandchildren; to her four aunts; and to the other members of 3-11 her family; and, be it further 3-12 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 3-13 for the members of her family and that when the Texas House of 3-14 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Marilyn 3-15 Keaton Newsom.