R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Helen Graves on March 5, 1997, at the

 1-2     age of 90, has brought a great loss to the family and many friends

 1-3     of this beloved lady; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Oglesby, Mrs. Graves was born

 1-5     May 14, 1906, to James and Ollie Everett, Sr., and she earned a

 1-6     teaching certificate from Baylor University; she wed Rannel Houston

 1-7     Graves on July 5, 1931, and the couple nurtured a deeply fulfilling

 1-8     union that spanned 54 years until his passing; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Mrs. Graves will be fondly remembered for her

1-10     appreciation for the performing arts; she taught music in the

1-11     Ireland school system before embarking on a lengthy career as a

1-12     piano and voice teacher in the Oglesby schools; and

1-13           WHEREAS, She maintained an abiding commitment to her hometown

1-14     through her involvement in several local organizations; a valued

1-15     member of both the Post Oak Cemetery Association and the Oglesby

1-16     Senior Citizen Group, she earned distinction as the first woman

1-17     member and president of the Oglesby Lion's Club, where she

1-18     graciously entertained her many friends with her lovely piano

1-19     playing; and

1-20           WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, she was sustained by her faith

1-21     as a devout member of First United Methodist Church of Oglesby,

1-22     where she taught Sunday school and was an organist; she further

1-23     served her denomination in leadership capacities with the United

1-24     Methodist Women's group, and she was named outstanding lay person

 2-1     in her local church by the District Laity Banquet of the United

 2-2     Methodist Church in 1996; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Helen Graves touched the lives of many people during

 2-4     her years on this earth, and though her special presence will be

 2-5     deeply missed, her memory will long endure in the hearts and minds

 2-6     of all who knew and loved her; now, therefore, be it

 2-7           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-8     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Helen Graves and

 2-9     extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her

2-10     sisters, Dawn Barrens, Doris Sullins, and Violet Vandiver; to her

2-11     brother, James Everett, Jr.; and to the many other friends and

2-12     relatives of this fine Texan; and, be it further

2-13           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this  resolution be

2-14     prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas

2-15     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-16     Helen Graves.

                                                                       Place

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 861 was unanimously adopted by a

         rising vote of the House on May 23, 1997.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House