H.R. No. 24 


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The passing of Winnie Parker Coffee of Dallas on October 28, 2002, at the age of 99, has deeply saddened the family and many friends of this esteemed woman; and WHEREAS, A native of Texas, she was born on December 15, 1902, in Tenaha, and pursued her higher education at Mary Hardin-Baylor College; Mrs. Coffee shared her passion for speech and drama with students at high schools throughout East Texas before World War II intervened; and WHEREAS, Inspired by her brothers, who answered their nation's call to arms during the war, this noteworthy Texan joined the United Service Organizations (USO) in 1943, and she brought not only her patriotism but also her enthusiasm and good cheer, which made immeasurable contributions to the lives of others; after completing USO training at Columbia University, she was assigned to New Orleans and Tyler, where she served as a social director, a role that well suited this extrovert who immensely enjoyed singing, dancing, and socializing with people; following the war years, she began a new venture when she joined the staff of the Veterans' Testing Laboratory at Southern Methodist University; and WHEREAS, The former Winnie Parker and Roy C. Coffee began their journey as husband and wife in 1952, and the couple enjoyed a warm and fulfilling relationship until his passing in 1978; Mrs. Coffee was blessed with two sons, and as her family grew through the years, she took great pleasure in being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and WHEREAS, During her marriage, Mrs. Coffee was supportive of her husband in his role as mayor of University Park from 1950 to 1970; together, the couple were staunch proponents of Christian education, donating 40-50 scholarships each year, particularly at Abilene Christian University, where today the Winnie and Roy Coffee Communications Center honors their exceptional support of the institution, as well as Mrs. Coffee's heartfelt enthusiasm for drama and speech; and WHEREAS, This lovely lady remained an active congregant of Preston Road Church of Christ and enjoyed her memberships with the Highland Park Book Club, the Wednesday Morning Chorale Club, the Music and Drama Club, the Butchart Garden Club, and the Dallas Country Club; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Coffee's charm and vivacious personality delighted her large circle of admirers and drew new friends to her throughout her lifetime; fondly remembered by her loved ones as the "life of the party" well into her 90s, she continued a busy schedule and even kept her driver's license renewed until the age of 96; and WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to know Winnie Coffee will long miss her zest for life and generous spirit, and her memory will surely live on in the minds and hearts of the many people whose lives she touched; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Winnie Parker Coffee and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her sons, Roy C. Coffee, Jr., and Robert F. Coffee; to her four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and to all those who mourn the passing of this beloved woman; 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 Winnie Parker Coffee. Goolsby                         Craddick        Giddings        Merritt         Allen        Goodman        Miller         Alonzo        Goolsby        Moreno of Harris         Bailey        Griggs        Moreno of El Paso         Baxter        Grusendorf        Morrison         Berman        Guillen        Mowery         Bohac        Gutierrez        Naishtat         Bonnen        Haggerty        Nixon         Branch        Hamilton        Noriega         Brown of Kaufman        Hamric        Oliveira         Brown of Brazos        Hardcastle        Olivo         Burnam        Harper-Brown        Paxton         Callegari        Hartnett        Pena         Campbell        Heflin        Phillips         Canales        Hegar        Pickett         Capelo        Hilderbran        Pitts         Casteel        Hill        Puente         Castro        Hochberg        Quintanilla         Chavez        Hodge        Rangel         Chisum        Homer        Raymond         Christian        Hope        Reyna         Coleman        Hopson        Riddle         Cook of Navarro        Howard        Ritter         Cook of Colorado        Hughes        Rodriguez         Corte        Hunter        Rose         Crabb        Hupp        Seaman         Crownover        Isett        Smith of Tarrant         Davis of Harris        Jones of Lubbock        Smith of Harris         Davis of Dallas        Jones of Bexar        Smithee         Dawson        Jones of Dallas        Solis         Delisi        Keel        Solomons         Denny        Keffer of Dallas        Stick         Deshotel        Keffer of Eastland        Swinford         Driver        King        Talton         Dukes        Kolkhorst        Taylor         Dunnam        Krusee        Telford         Dutton        Kuempel        Thompson         Edwards        Laney        Truitt         Eiland        Laubenberg        Turner         Eissler        Lewis        Uresti         Elkins        Luna        Van Arsdale         Ellis        Mabry        Villarreal         Farabee        Madden        West         Farrar        Marchant        Wilson         Flores        Martinez Fischer        Wise         Flynn        McCall        Wohlgemuth         Gallego        McClendon        Wolens         Garza        McReynolds        Wong         Gattis        Menendez        Woolley         Geren        Mercer        Zedler         ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 24 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 24, 2003. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House