R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Frances Peters Eastham of Waxahachie
1-2 on October 11, 2000, at the age of 88, brought a profound sense of
1-3 loss to the family and many friends of this esteemed woman, but her
1-4 legacy of community service will continue to contribute to the
1-5 well-being of this state for years to come; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Mrs. Eastham was a life-long resident of Waxahachie
1-7 who was born in 1912; her diverse background included majoring in
1-8 math at Trinity University in Waxahachie and working as a reporter
1-9 for the Waxahachie Daily Light; she also volunteered as a civil
1-10 defense trainer during World War II; and
1-11 WHEREAS, This benevolent woman had a distinguished record of
1-12 community service and donated her time and considerable talents to
1-13 numerous civic-oriented organizations; she was a longtime member of
1-14 the First United Methodist Church, where she served as a trustee on
1-15 the administrative board, chaired the memorial committee, and was
1-16 the superintendent of the junior and intermediate departments at
1-17 the Sunday School; and
1-18 WHEREAS, She was the first woman to chair the Waxahachie
1-19 Community Chest, was involved in various capacities with the Girl
1-20 Scouts of America, and established Waxahachie's summer youth
1-21 programs; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Mrs. Eastham held a number of important positions
1-23 with worthy organizations; she served as president of the
1-24 Waxahachie Junior Service League, Shakespeare Club, and the City
2-1 Federation of Women's Clubs; moreover, she was accorded the
2-2 prestigious distinction of being named First Lady of Waxahachie in
2-3 1958 for her many good works and deeds; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Widely respected and admired for her compassion,
2-5 vision, and character, Mrs. Eastham enjoyed a special place in the
2-6 hearts of countless people; her valuable efforts to create a better
2-7 community for everyone made a positive and lasting difference in
2-8 Waxahachie and the Lone Star State; and
2-9 WHEREAS, Mrs. Eastham loved to travel and visited every
2-10 continent but Antartica; she enjoyed Christmas cruises with her
2-11 children and grandchildren and was an avid bridge player; although
2-12 she is deeply missed, her bright spirit and enduring legacy live on
2-13 in all those whose lives she touched; now, therefore, be it
2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-15 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Frances Peters
2-16 Eastham and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family:
2-17 to her daughters Evelyn Eastham Pitts and her husband, the
2-18 Honorable Jim Pitts, and Ellen Zinn and her husband, Tim Zinn; to
2-19 her grandchildren, Duffy Bloemendal and her husband, Dr. Scott
2-20 Bloemendal, Ashley Pitts, Ryan Pitts, and Jacqueline Zinn; and to
2-21 her other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-23 prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
2-24 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-25 Mrs. Frances Eastham.
Pitts
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 512 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 5, 2001.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House