1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 104
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                              A. C. Littlefield
 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
 1-7     of Austin and the entire world of gospel music in mourning the loss
 1-8     of beloved singer A. C. Littlefield, who died January 22, 1999, at
 1-9     the age of 74; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Born the son of Georgia and Willie Littlefield on
1-11     January 16, 1925, in Sealy, Texas, A. C. moved to Austin in 1938
1-12     with his family; and
1-13           WHEREAS, A patriotic American, Mr. Littlefield joined the
1-14     United States Army in 1943 and served his country faithfully,
1-15     receiving an honorable discharge in 1945; and
1-16           WHEREAS, A. C. married Johnnie Mae Sorrels, the great love
1-17     of his life, in 1947, and their marriage was a lifelong joy
1-18     to both; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Affirming his belief in Christ at an early age, he
1-20     was baptized at the Saint Edward's Baptist Church in Montopolis
1-21     by the late Reverend E. M. Franklin; later, he became a member
1-22     of Mount Olive Baptist Church under the late Reverend H. A. Sneed;
1-23     and
1-24           WHEREAS, A faithful and dedicated member of his church,
 2-1     Mr. Littlefield attended Sunday School regularly, was Chairman
 2-2     of the Deacons, and was a featured soloist with the Chapel Choir;
 2-3     and
 2-4           WHEREAS, A lead singer of the Starlight Singers in 1948,
 2-5     A. C. and the group later became the renowned gospel quartet,
 2-6     the Bells of Joy, in 1951; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, This group recorded the song "Let's Talk About
 2-8     Jesus" in which A. C. was the lead singer; the song was enormously
 2-9     popular when it was released by the Duke/Peacock Records Company
2-10     in Houston; the Bells of Joy was the first quartet to sell over a
2-11     million copies of a gospel song; and
2-12           WHEREAS, The Bells of Joy received many offers to record
2-13     mainstream rhythm and blues, but they decided to stay with
2-14     gospel singing, and their performances over the years have brought
2-15     joy and renewed religious fervor to thousands; and
2-16           WHEREAS, In 1986 the Bells of Joy became the first black
2-17     spiritual group to make a commercial for the Blue Bell Ice Cream
2-18     Company; in 1991 they appeared at the Texas Festival at the
2-19     Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; in 1995 they made a video
2-20     with famous singer Willie Nelson; and in 1999 they released a
2-21     new compact disc entitled The Second Time Around; and
2-22           WHEREAS, After Mr. Littlefield retired from the Austin
2-23     State School with 20 years of service, he became a foster
2-24     grandparent at Andrews Elementary School, where the students,
2-25     faculty, and staff respected and loved him; and
2-26           WHEREAS, A. C. Littlefield was a devoted husband, and he
 3-1     leaves priceless memories which will be treasured forever by
 3-2     his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
 3-3           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 3-4     76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
 3-5     bereaved family of A. C. Littlefield:  his adored wife,
 3-6     Johnnie Mae Littlefield; his brother, Ester Littlefield; his
 3-7     sisters, Muriel Hodge and Lovie Littlefield; and a large
 3-8     group of loving nieces and nephews; and, be it further
 3-9           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-10     the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy
3-11     from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this
3-12     day, it do so in memory of A. C. Littlefield.
3-13                                                              Barrientos
3-14                                  ______________________________________
3-15                                         President of the Senate
3-16                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-17                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-18                                  on January 28, 1999, by a rising vote.
3-19                                  ______________________________________
3-20                                         Secretary of the Senate
3-21                                  ______________________________________
3-22                                           Member, Texas Senate