By Dutton                                         H.R. No. 24

      75R3894 PAN-F                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Josephine Radford Edwards, one of the most

 1-2     distinguished citizens of Houston and Harris County, died on

 1-3     January 12, 1997, at the age of 86, and her death is a great loss

 1-4     to her family, her many friends, and citizens of Texas and the

 1-5     nation; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, A native of Polk County, Camden, Texas, Mrs. Edwards

 1-7     was in the first graduating class at Jack Yates High School in

 1-8     Houston, Texas; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, A woman of deep religious faith, she was an active

1-10     and cherished member of St. Lukes Missionary Baptist Church on

1-11     Detering Street, Houston, Texas, where her son, Reverend E. L.

1-12     Edwards, Jr., was her pastor, and she served on the Mission Board

1-13     and was a great Evangelist; and

1-14           WHEREAS, Mrs. Edwards was a loyal and dedicated wife and

1-15     mother of 15 children; she instilled the highest of moral and

1-16     ethical standards in each of her children and encouraged them to do

1-17     unto others as they would have others do unto them; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Mrs. Edwards was a strong believer in Education and

1-19     Economic Development as she insisted and was successful in

1-20     graduating all of her children from high school, college, and

1-21     beyond; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Mrs. Edwards was socially and politically involved

1-23     as she was emphatic that her family, friends, and neighbors

1-24     understood the importance of being a registered voter and becoming

 2-1     involved in community activities; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, Truly a pillar of her community, Mrs. Edwards was an

 2-3     outstanding mother who provided wise leadership and made many

 2-4     lasting contributions to the community of Trinity Gardens; though

 2-5     her humor, intelligence, and compassion will be greatly missed, her

 2-6     memory will continue to serve as inspiration to all those

 2-7     privileged to know this remarkable woman; now, therefore, be it

 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-9     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mrs. Josephine

2-10     Edwards and extend heartfelt sympathy to her family:  to her

2-11     sisters, Mary Thomas, Hattie Turner, Espanola McGruder, Juanita

2-12     Poche, Gladys Lorine Radford, and Myrteal Howard; to her daughters,

2-13     Elrine Henson, Josephine Lyles, and Mary Bonham; to her sons,

2-14     Phillip Edwards, Reverend E. L. Edwards, Jr., Reverend

2-15     Representative Al Edwards, Reverend Alfred Edwards, Reverend Earl

2-16     Edwards, Reddick Edwards, David Edwards, and Paul Edwards; and to

2-17     the other members of her family; and, be it further

2-18           RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared

2-19     for the members of her family.