By Dutton                                             H.R. No. 1142
         77R14061 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Mattie Jean DeWalt of Houston on
 1-2     April 20, 2001, at the age of 70, has deeply saddened the family
 1-3     and many friends of this beloved woman; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, A native of Point Blank, Texas, she was born on
 1-5     December 6, 1930, to John and Phoebe Harrison; she had a rewarding
 1-6     35-year marriage to Levi DeWalt, Sr., who preceded her in death;
 1-7     and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Mrs. DeWalt was a woman of numerous interests and
 1-9     talents, including sewing, public speaking, and homemaking; she
1-10     took great pride in attaining her GED and completing individualized
1-11     instruction at Texas Southern University, and she was employed as a
1-12     tax preparer with H&R Block; and
1-13           WHEREAS, During her term as president, the Burbank Junior
1-14     High School PTA earned the Florence Danforth PAFLE (Parent and
1-15     Family Life Education) Award for its projects; she volunteered as
1-16     an election judge of her voting precinct, was president of the Sam
1-17     Houston High School Drill Team Parents' Club, and served the
1-18     congregations of Nelson Memorial Church of God in Christ and Laws
1-19     Memorial Church of God in Christ in various capacities, including
1-20     Sunday school superintendent, leader of the Usher Board, member of
1-21     the Mothers' Board, and facilitator of the City of Houston's Summer
1-22     Youth Program; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Mrs. DeWalt loved people and had the gift of knowing
1-24     when someone was in need; those who were privileged to share her
 2-1     friendship will long miss her presence, and she will surely be
 2-2     remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to
 2-3     come; now, therefore, be it
 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-5     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mattie Jean DeWalt
 2-6     and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
 2-7     daughters, Gwendolyn Burnett Coleman, Vernia Mallard, Cheryl A.
 2-8     Lewis, Kitzy Burnett Daniels, and Rose Mary Johnson; to her sons,
 2-9     Thomas Edward Burnett, Levi DeWalt, Jr., and Louis DeWalt; to her
2-10     godson, Jimmy L. Butler; to her sisters, Lizzie Smith, Helen
2-11     Hutcherson, and Betty Mitchell; to her brother, Mack "Bud"
2-12     Harrison; to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and to the
2-13     many other relatives and friends of this esteemed woman; and, be it
2-14     further
2-15           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-16     prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
2-17     Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Mattie
2-18     Jean DeWalt.