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