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By:  Hunter                                                       H.R. No. 181







R E S O L U T I O N

	WHEREAS, Emma Perry, a longtime resident of Abilene, Texas 

died Friday, August 5, 2005 at the age of 104 after a lifetime of 

service to others; and

	WHEREAS, she was the oldest living breast cancer survivor in 

North America and was the last of ten children in her family to pass 

away; and

	WHEREAS, she was born February 4, 1901 in Coffee County, 

Tennessee; and      

	WHEREAS, she and her late husband, Litt Perry, moved to 

Abilene in 1926 following their marriage in Fort Worth; and

	WHEREAS, she became the first individual in Abilene to 

operate a comptometer, a primitive but quite fast adding machine 

and taught classes on its use at the Draughn's Business School; and

	WHEREAS, Mrs. Perry also worked for Musser Lumber Company and 

West Texas Utilities as an office clerk and secretary; and

	WHEREAS, she and her husband, Litt, owned and operated the 

Perry Dental Lab in Abilene; and

	WHEREAS, she was a charter member of Cora Posey Order of the 

Eastern Star and a member of the Social Order Beauceant; and

	WHEREAS, she and Mr. Litt founded the First Christian 

Hispanic Mission at Graham Street and Ambler Avenue in the 

mid-1950's; and

	WHEREAS, the First Christian Church of Abilene recently named 

one of their fellowship centers the Litt and Emma Perry Missions 

Building; and

	WHEREAS, a Sunday School Class at the Church named the Perry 

Class has been active for almost 50 years; and

	WHEREAS, this great lady was well respected and loved by the 

entire congregation where she worshipped; and

	WHEREAS, her funeral service was held at the First Christian 

Church of Abilene on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 with Dr. Tom Lyda 

and Dr. Chris Diebel officiating and her burial followed in Cedar 

Hill Cemetery in the city' now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 

Legislature hereby honor the wonderful life of Emma Perry and her 

devoted service to her church, her community, and her family.