1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 997 1-3 WHEREAS, On May 29, 2001, Gladys Marie Prater Herod is 1-4 celebrating her 80th birthday, and this is truly a notable event 1-5 for her entire family; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Born to J. D. and Nettie Evelyn Owens Prater 1-7 on May 29, 1921, in Slocum, Texas, Mrs. Herod spent her early 1-8 years sharing her love of life with her parents and her siblings, 1-9 Lucille, Jean, Charles, and Margaret; and 1-10 WHEREAS, She married James Douglas Wooten, and although 1-11 he died tragically at an early age, he left her with the gift of 1-12 two beautiful daughters, Jo Ann and Carol; and 1-13 WHEREAS, After moving to Houston she was fortunate to find 1-14 love again with Leland Reed and became his wife in 1945; the couple 1-15 relocated to Slocum, and they were blessed with daughters Linda and 1-16 Gail; the family remained in Slocum until Mr. Reed passed away in 1-17 1960; and 1-18 WHEREAS, She returned to Elkhart and lived there and in 1-19 Palestine, Texas, with her third husband, the late Cecil Herod, 1-20 with whom she enjoyed many happy years; and 1-21 WHEREAS, This beloved matriarch has been exceptionally 2-1 close to grandchildren Cynthia Jo Fickey, Geoffrey Woodrow Parker, 2-2 Cecil Avis Staples, Brenda Jo Staples Boyd, Julie Ann Staples, 2-3 the Honorable Douglas Todd Staples, Stephen Michael Lesh, 2-4 Stephanie Michelle Lesh Weems, and Heather Renee Willard Fisher, 2-5 making each a painstakingly crafted quilt and playing baseball 2-6 with them; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Yet another generation is now benefiting from 2-8 her unfailing love and guidance as is evidenced by Mrs. Herod's 2-9 special bond with great-grandchildren Coty Ricardo Rodriguez, 2-10 Rachel Leann Fickey, Kolby Tyler Venoy, Christopher Grant Staples, 2-11 Thomas Scott Staples, Cecil Jordan Staples, Alexandra Marie Boyd, 2-12 Jason Matthew Boyd, Jared Cole Staples, Elizabeth Ann Staples, 2-13 Brian Walker Thorn, Jonathan Clarke Thorn, Dalton Reed Fisher, 2-14 and Megan Leigh Kirchner; and 2-15 WHEREAS, In addition to caring for her family, she finds 2-16 time for such varied activities as embroidery, sewing, making 2-17 pear preserves, preparing chili that is second-to-none in the 2-18 Lone Star State, and raising her high soprano voice in song at 2-19 the Church of Christ in Elkhart; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Throughout her lifetime, Mrs. Herod has been a 2-21 source of boundless joy to her family and friends, and it is 2-22 indeed appropriate that she be honored for the happiness and 2-23 hope she has imparted to others; now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-1 77th Legislature, hereby congratulate Gladys Marie Prater Herod 3-2 on the momentous occasion of her 80th birthday and extend to her 3-3 sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further 3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be 3-5 prepared for Mrs. Herod as an expression of high regard from the 3-6 Texas Senate. 3-7 Staples 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 President of the Senate 3-10 I hereby certify that the above 3-11 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-12 on May 9, 2001. 3-13 ______________________________________ 3-14 Secretary of the Senate 3-15 ______________________________________ 3-16 Member, Texas Senate