R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The family and many friends of Oma Jean Mitchell

 1-2     Faulkenberry were deeply saddened by her passing on May 6, 1996,

 1-3     and the members of this chamber join the Faulkenberry family and

 1-4     the Fort Stockton and Brackettville communities in bidding a

 1-5     reluctant farewell to this extraordinary woman; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, A longtime resident of Fort Stockton,

 1-7     Mrs. Faulkenberry enjoyed a rewarding 29-year career with the Fort

 1-8     Stockton Independent School District, during which time she also

 1-9     served with distinction in several professional organizations; she

1-10     was a member and president of both the Texas Educational

1-11     Secretary's Association and the South Central Chapter of the

1-12     National Association of Education Office Personnel; and

1-13           WHEREAS, An active member of her local congregation, she

1-14     served her church well by taking on key leadership positions,

1-15     including Sunday School Director and President of the Women's

1-16     Missionary Union; and

1-17           WHEREAS, Drawing strength and fulfillment not only from her

1-18     family, faith, and career, but also from her civic involvement,

1-19     Mrs. Faulkenberry greatly enjoyed her involvement in the Masonic

1-20     community; she participated in the Order of the Eastern Star for

1-21     more than 40 years, holding that organization's highest position of

1-22     Worthy Matron three times, and served as Mother Advisor for the

1-23     Order of the Rainbow for girls; and

1-24           WHEREAS, In addition to her work and community involvement,

 2-1     Mrs. Faulkenberry continued to pursue her education, earning an

 2-2     associate of science degree from Midland College in 1979; on her

 2-3     retirement in 1988, she and her beloved husband Tom moved from Fort

 2-4     Stockton to Brackettville, and, continuing her lifelong dedication

 2-5     to community service and involvement, Mrs. Faulkenberry became a

 2-6     member of numerous organizations, including the local arts society,

 2-7     the Fort Clark Historical Society, the Kinney County Democratic

 2-8     Party, and the Kinney County Chamber of Commerce, as well as

 2-9     serving as the editor of the local paper, The Brackett News; and

2-10           WHEREAS,  Because of her exceptional devotion and commitment

2-11     to her family, neighbors, and community, Mrs. Faulkenberry's many

2-12     contributions will not be forgotten; she was a valued member of

2-13     each community in which she resided, and although her presence is

2-14     gone, her unique spirit will live on in the hearts of the many

2-15     people whose lives she touched; now, therefore, be it

2-16           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-17     Legislature hereby honor the memory of Oma Jean Mitchell

2-18     Faulkenberry and extend sincere condolences to the members of her

2-19     family: to her husband, Tom Faulkenberry; to her children, Ronald,

2-20     Richard, Joyce, and Thomas; to her grandchildren; and to all the

2-21     relatives and many friends of this beloved woman; and, be it

2-22     further

2-23           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-24     prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas

2-25     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-26     Oma Jean Mitchell Faulkenberry.

                                                                     Gallego

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 94 was unanimously adopted by a

         rising vote of the House on March 20, 1997.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House