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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1004
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure in
recognizing the members of the Williams-Livingston family on the
grand occasion of their annual family reunion, June 6 and 7, 2003;
and
WHEREAS, Every year on the first Saturday in June,
the members of the Williams-Livingston family hold a reunion
to celebrate their heritage and to commemorate the birth of
Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams; and
WHEREAS, Over 300 family members invite friends from
across Texas and the United States to celebrate their love for
their family and community; and
WHEREAS, Earliest family history reveals that the
family of Charles and Caroline Livingston arrived in the
Freestone County, Texas, area in the early 1800s; and
WHEREAS, Charles Livingston's family moved from
Virginia as freed slaves to the Freestone County area known as
Cotton Gin, Texas; they sharecropped on the area farms; and
WHEREAS, Caroline Livingston's family moved from Alabama
as freed slaves to the Freestone County area of Kirvin, Texas;
arriving in Texas in covered wagons, on horseback, and walking,
they settled on the farm of Alfred Carter in order to work his
land; and
WHEREAS, Caroline and Charles Livingston supported their
community and were instrumental in the establishment of the
Shiloh Baptist Church, Texas' oldest primitive Baptist church,
and Woods Chapel Baptist Church; they also helped to create a
public school system for the education of their children and the
children of the surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, The Williams-Livingston branch of the family stems
from a daughter born to Caroline and Charles, Elizabeth Livingston,
born July 2, 1866, who married Austin Williams, a freed slave from
Tennessee; they were the parents of 10 children, one of whom was
Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams, born June 1, 1889; and
WHEREAS, Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams was the
matriarch of the Williams-Livingston family until October 13, 1987,
when she died at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, She was the mother of four daughters who moved
with their families to other parts of Texas, including Dallas,
where many of the Williams-Livingston family members reside and
work today; and
WHEREAS, This year's reunion will showcase the life and
legacy of Mamie's sister, Aggie Bertha Williams, who was born in
Freestone County on November 23, 1894; she was the mother of two
children, Howard Fulshur Williams and Lucy Veatras "Veatrice"
Williams; she had one step-grandson, Theodore Leroy Williams, who
was adopted by Howard; she also had five step-great-grandchildren
and four great-great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Nicknamed "Aunt Pigg" and "Pigg," Aunt Bertha
was the character in the family, and her mischievous nature was
recognized by all; she was outspoken and enjoyed interacting with
the young people in the family; her hobbies were cooking, sewing,
and canning; and
WHEREAS, She was a domestic engineer and worked for
numerous families in Kirvin; an amputee, she drove her car with
one leg until the remaining limb had to be removed; she died
January 25, 1990, and was buried in the Carter Colored Cemetery
in Kirvin; and
WHEREAS, The Williams-Livingston family members are
successful men and women who have contributed greatly to their
communities through their leadership, professionalism, and
concern for others; each year more descendants from the other
children of Caroline and Charles Livingston come to the reunion,
thus reconnecting the original family; and
WHEREAS, The yearly reunion of the members of the
Williams-Livingston family is a manifestation of their belief
in family unity, loyalty, and pride in one's heritage; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby extend to the members of the
Williams-Livingston family best wishes for a joyous and
memorable family reunion; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the family as a memento of this special occasion.
West
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 29, 2003.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate