R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Roxie Anna Roy Douglas on April 7, 1-2 1997, at the age of 73, has brought a great loss to the family and 1-3 many friends of this esteemed Huntsville resident; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Ms. Douglas was born April 7, 1924, in Jacksonville 1-5 to Fred and Mary Roy, and she was graduated from Bishop College 1-6 before earning a master's degree from Texas Southern University in 1-7 1961; and 1-8 WHEREAS, She enjoyed a lengthy and rewarding career as an 1-9 educator with both the Huntsville and Windham school districts, and 1-10 she became the first African-American woman to work with the Texas 1-11 Department of Corrections when she began her employment there in 1-12 1962; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Outside the classroom, Ms. Douglas had a profound 1-14 effect on public education as a trustee with the Huntsville 1-15 Independent School District, and she also enhanced the learning 1-16 opportunities of many area youth as both a private music instructor 1-17 and the director of her daughter's child-care center, Happy Days 1-18 Day-Care Kingdom; and 1-19 WHEREAS, A prominent figure in numerous organizations in 1-20 Walker County, Ms. Douglas further worked for the betterment of the 1-21 area through her many years of public service and her missionary 1-22 work; active in the Hunstville Youth Orchestra, the National 1-23 Council of Negro Women, and the Walker County Council of 1-24 Organizations, she also promoted many worthy causes at city council 2-1 and commissioners court meetings; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Ms. Douglas will be fondly remembered for her 2-3 sincerity, her dedication, and her boundless compassion toward 2-4 others; these qualities emanated from her abiding faith as a member 2-5 of the First Baptist Church, where she was a fixture in the 2-6 religious community for more than five decades; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Roxie Douglas touched the lives of many people 2-8 during her years on this earth, and though her special presence 2-9 will be deeply missed, her memory will long endure in the hearts 2-10 and minds of all who knew and loved her; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Roxie Anna Roy 2-13 Douglas and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: 2-14 to her daughter and son-in-law, Carmencitia Arleena Irving and 2-15 Willie Joe Irving; to her son and daughters-in-law, Major Samuel 2-16 Royce Douglas, Suzy Douglas, and Helena Douglas; to her 2-17 grandchildren, LaTanya Joavette Irving, Nakia Jamal Rowlett, 2-18 Clifton Rowlett III, Brandon Jerome Cooper, Candice Marie Douglas, 2-19 Kristen Lanae Douglas, Marcus Royce Douglas, Ashton Laureal 2-20 Douglas, and Jared Samuel Douglas; and to her many other friends 2-21 and relatives; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for the members of her family, and that when the Texas 2-24 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-25 Roxie Anna Roy Douglas. Hightower _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 799 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 5, 1997. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House