R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Richie Dell Thomas of Houston on
1-2 January 14, 2001, at the age of 78, has brought a great loss to the
1-3 family and friends of this esteemed woman; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born on October 4, 1922, Ms. Thomas was a gifted
1-5 child who graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School at the age of
1-6 14; she received her bachelor of arts degree in music education at
1-7 Prairie View A&M University and obtained her master's degree in
1-8 music at Texas Southern University; a lifelong student who
1-9 furthered her education at every opportunity, Ms. Thomas worked
1-10 toward a doctorate at the University of Southern California; and
1-11 WHEREAS, This remarkable woman pursued a career in music in
1-12 Los Angeles, where performing greats such as Dinah Washington and
1-13 Nat King Cole recognized her potential and embraced her talent;
1-14 after getting to know and work with Charles Brown, she joined the
1-15 musicians' union and got her first big break when she was selected
1-16 to play piano in the show Sweet & Hot with Dorothy Dandridge; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Establishing herself as a successful musician, she
1-18 performed as a pianist for five years at the legendary Ivie's
1-19 Chicken Shack while continuing to work with such masters as Nat
1-20 King Cole; she possessed a unique talent for energizing jazz
1-21 interpretations on the piano while complementing great vocalists,
1-22 including Arthur Prysock, Dakota Staton, and Dinah Washington; and
1-23 WHEREAS, This distinguished Texan returned to Houston and
1-24 began teaching music at Aldine Carver High School and later at
2-1 Fidelity High School; she imparted her musical passion to her
2-2 students, and over the years her choirs received many honors and
2-3 awards; she also published a collected works album titled The Best
2-4 of Fidelity, 1958-1968 and even helped to launch some noteworthy
2-5 careers, such as that of guitarist Melvin Sparks; and
2-6 WHEREAS, No one benefited more from Ms. Thomas' influence
2-7 than her own children; under her direction, her three children
2-8 formed the Thomas Trio, which met with great success while touring
2-9 the United States for 10 years in a career that included
2-10 performances on Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour and at the Apollo
2-11 Theater; afterward, all of her children went on to have notable
2-12 musical careers; and
2-13 WHEREAS, A believer in having a strong spiritual life,
2-14 Ms. Thomas founded the Unity Center of Truth Church in her
2-15 community; she was musical director for the church, and, reflecting
2-16 her immense faith, she became an ordained minister; and
2-17 WHEREAS, This accomplished and giving Texan contributed much
2-18 to the musical world and left an indelible mark on her community,
2-19 and she will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those she so
2-20 deeply affected; now, therefore, be it
2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-22 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Richie Dell Thomas
2-23 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
2-24 daughters, Fanchon Angela Moore and Anita Gwendolyn Moore; and to
2-25 all her relatives, friends, and loved ones; and, be it further
2-26 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-27 prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas
3-1 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-2 Richie Dell Thomas.
Dutton
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 155 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on January 30, 2001.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House