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79S31480 BJM-D

By:  Hilderbran                                                   H.R. No. 499



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and 
meaningful accomplishments may comfort the family and many friends 
of Tommie Gipson North of San Angelo, who passed away on January 28, 
2006, at the age of 85; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Gorman on March 23, 1920, to T. R. and Martha 
Wynn, the former Tommie Eloise Wynn attended schools in San Angelo, 
where she excelled in literature and showed a keen talent for 
writing; she married the author Fred Gipson in 1940 and, over the 
course of their 24-year marriage, provided important creative and 
editorial support on several of his novels, including the classic 
Old Yeller; fortunate enough to find love a second time, she wed Joe 
North in 1968, and the devoted couple shared many wonderful years 
together until his passing; and
	WHEREAS, This graduate of San Angelo State University worked 
with The University of Texas Press for three years and later 
distinguished herself as an English and creative writing teacher at 
San Angelo Central High School; an avid reader, she remained active 
following her 1986 retirement, participating in book clubs, 
writing, and studying genealogy; and
	WHEREAS, Though it is impossible to gauge the full effect of a 
person's life, some individuals leave their unmistakable mark on 
the world as they move through it, and Tommie North's contributions 
to the Texas literary community will long resonate in the lives of 
those she inspired and in the work she helped nurture; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
Tommie Gipson North and extend deepest sympathy to the members of 
her family: to her son, Beck Gipson, and his wife, Sue; to her 
stepsons, Ronnie and Gary North; to her sister, Marjorie Sager; to 
her brother, Bill Wynn; to her grandson, Ben Gipson; to her 
step-granddaughters, Kim Shields and her husband, Clint, and Krista 
Roberts and her husband, Rance; to her great-grandsons, Braden 
Scott Shields, Reid Lewis Shields, Thomas Mason Roberts, Fisher 
Riley Roberts, and Gipson Luke Roberts; and to her other relatives 
and many 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 Tommie 
Gipson North.