By Dutton H.R. No. 155 77R4799 MW-D 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.