79R7001 MDM-D

By:  Davis of Dallas                                              H.R. No. 478



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and 
meaningful accomplishments may console and comfort the family and 
friends of Sophia Williams, who departed this life on February 14, 
2005, at the age of 92; and
	WHEREAS, A native Texan whose hometown was Troup, the former 
Sophia Hawkins was born on February 25, 1912, to Jim and Mattie 
Hawkins, and grew up in a close-knit family that included five 
sisters and four brothers; she attended Central High School and 
pursued her higher education as a student at the St. Louis School of 
Nursing; and
	WHEREAS, She married Nathan Williams, and together they 
enjoyed a fulfilling marriage until his passing; nurturing and 
caring toward her loved ones, Mrs. Williams held the respect and 
affection of her nieces and nephews as well as their children, in 
whom she took great pride; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was a woman of deep religious 
conviction throughout her life; a congregant of Pleasant Green 
Baptist Church in her childhood, she later united with College Hill 
Baptist Church in Tyler, where she became involved in the 
Missionary Society; she joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 
Tyler in 1993 and served her church as a deaconess and a member of 
its Community Service Organization; and
	WHEREAS, Sophia Williams was truly a blessing in the lives of 
countless people, and her memory will long be held  dear in the 
hearts of all those who were privileged to have known her; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sophia Williams of 
Tyler and extend deepest sympathy to the members of her family: to 
her nieces, Clynthia A. Austin, Beverly Erskine, Violet Hawkins, 
Jacqueline Hawkins, Dr. Gloria Hawkins, Doris "Dot" Hawkins 
Williams, Bernice Jones, Evelyn Jones, and LaMartha Jones; to her 
nephews, Everett Hawkins, Howard "Sonny" Hawkins, Winston "Pete" 
Hawkins, Everton Hawkins and his wife, Beulah, and Jesse W. Jones 
and his wife, LaBelle; to her grandnieces and grandnephews, 
including Linda Edwards, Glynda Williams, Shesheko Washington, and 
Tamiko Sargent; and to her other relatives and friends; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sophia 
Williams.