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78S10156 JNC-D

By:  Harper-Brown                                                 H.R. No. 206



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The people of Irving lost a committed advocate and 
beloved friend with the passing of Jackie Mae Townsell on October 
17, 2002; and
	WHEREAS, A North Texas native, Mrs. Townsell was born in 
Dallas on April 7, 1936; as a young girl she moved to Bear Creek, a 
historic settlement founded by slaves in 1850, which became her 
treasured lifelong home; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Townsell sought to make a difference throughout 
her years, spearheading an effort in the 1960s to annex Bear Creek 
into the City of Irving and working to further the civil rights 
movement; her commitment to her community led Mrs. Townsell to run 
for the Irving City Council in 1977, and she became the body's 
longest-serving member; and
	WHEREAS, During her illustrious 18-year tenure in city 
government, Mrs. Townsell supported initiatives to help those in 
need and Irving at large by calling for health care for low-income 
mothers, promoting parks and libraries, and advocating community 
block grants; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Townsell's dedication to the people of Bear 
Creek did not end with her departure from the council; in 1999, she 
helped to save two houses slated for destruction, which later 
became the Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Heritage Center; Mrs. 
Townsell and her husband, Jimmie, also operated the only restaurant 
and grocery store in the area for 38 years, providing residents with 
much-needed services; and
	WHEREAS, This admirable woman was a beloved figure in her 
city where, in addition to her many other responsibilities, she 
lent her time and talents to the Bear Creek Heritage Society, the 
Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, and the Irving 
Salvation Army; and
	WHEREAS, The love Jackie Townsell held for her community and 
her dedication to its well-being will long be remembered, and 
although her warmth and wisdom are gone from us now, her memory will 
surely live on in the hearts and minds of the innumerable people 
whose lives she touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor the life of Jackie 
Mae Townsell and extend sincere sympathy to her family: to her 
husband, Jimmie Townsell; to her son, Aaron Townsell; to her foster 
son, Erskin Hawkins; to her sisters, Imogene Rogers and Helen 
Mosely; and to her many other relatives and friends; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day it do so in memory of Jackie Mae 
Townsell.