R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Victoria T. Barnes on January 22, 1-2 1997, at the age of 85, has brought a great loss to the family and 1-3 many friends of this esteemed woman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born December 23, 1911, to Marshall and Bertha 1-5 Turner in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Mrs. Barnes dedicated her life 1-6 to serving both her family and her entire community with love, 1-7 dignity, and an unshakable commitment; and 1-8 WHEREAS, The marriage she cultivated with Titus Sinclair 1-9 Barnes, Sr., was an example of true devotion, which the blessing of 1-10 three children only strengthened; Mrs. Barnes gave fully of herself 1-11 to her family and still had bountiful energy to serve those around 1-12 her; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Her distinguished career is testimony to her passion 1-14 for learning and education; she earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1-15 elementary education from Texas Southern University and used her 1-16 innate talents and acquired skills to enrich the lives of all her 1-17 students, providing a rare example of virtue, humanitarianism, and 1-18 dedication to many generations of young Americans; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In addition to a noteworthy career in education, 1-20 Mrs. Barnes exhibited the true American entrepreneurial spirit; she 1-21 and her husband shared in the successful growth of the family 1-22 business, the Carl Barnes Mortuary; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Despite her many commitments, Victoria Barnes was an 1-24 active leader in her community, serving as president of the 2-1 Parent-Teacher Association at Helms Elementary School, as an 2-2 officer in the Houston League of Business and Professional Women, 2-3 and as a member of the Houston Heights Civic Club, the Business and 2-4 Professional Women's Club, and the Young Women's Christian 2-5 Association-Blue Triangle Branch; and 2-6 WHEREAS, A devout member of the Williams Temple-Woodard 2-7 Cathedral Church for many years, this exceptional civic leader 2-8 further served her friends and neighbors in Houston through her 2-9 work with the Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of 2-10 the Church of God in Christ, as well as with many national church 2-11 boards and committees; she also brought the spiritual power of 2-12 music to her fellow parishioners, organizing the first choir at 2-13 Williams Temple-Woodard Cathedral Church; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Mrs. Barnes's community bestowed on her many 2-15 significant honors, including the outstanding citizen award given 2-16 by the Eta Phi Beta Chapter of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority; she 2-17 also held the deepest admiration of three generations of her own 2-18 family: her children, 10 grandchildren, and six 2-19 great-grandchildren; and 2-20 WHEREAS, In serving her family, her church, and her 2-21 community, this extraordinary woman gave selflessly to those around 2-22 her and left them with a legacy of love and compassion by which to 2-23 remember her; though her presence is gone from us now, her unique 2-24 spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many people whose 2-25 lives she touched; now, therefore, be it 2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-27 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Victoria T. Barnes 3-1 and extend deepest sympathy to the members of her family: to her 3-2 beloved husband, Titus Sinclair Barnes, Sr.; to her children, 3-3 Bertha, Carol, and Titus, Jr.; and to all her many other relatives 3-4 and friends; and, be it further 3-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-6 prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas 3-7 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-8 Victoria T. Barnes. Turner of Harris _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 207 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 20, 1997. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House