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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life rich in family, faith, and friendship drew to |
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a close with the passing of Willie Belle Porter of Longview on |
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October 24, 2010, at the age of 91; and |
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WHEREAS, The ninth child of William and Laura Pettey, the |
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former Willie Belle Pettey was born in Mahl on November 15, 1918; |
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she was joined in matrimony to Madison Jones Porter, and they became |
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the parents of three daughters, Diane, Suzanne, and Jane Ellis; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1959, Mr. Porter's untimely death left |
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Mrs. Porter to raise her little girls on her own; her motto was "if |
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there's a will, there's a way," and she maintained a warm and |
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welcoming household while working as a secretary for the Longview |
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Independent School District and serving as president of the |
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Longview Secretaries Association; she retired from the district |
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after 27 years of dedicated service; and |
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Porter was beloved for her kindness and |
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hospitality; she was a valued member of First Baptist Church for |
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more than six decades, and she found special fulfillment in her |
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Bible Club; with a green thumb and a passion for flowers, she also |
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belonged to the Camellia Garden Club and carefully tended |
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spectacular azaleas, hydrangeas, and camellias; in addition, this |
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gracious lady was known for her skill in duplicate bridge and |
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demonstrated a sense of style in the elegant attire she chose for |
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every occasion; and |
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WHEREAS, Devoted to her grandchildren, Mrs. Porter kept |
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plenty of games and crafts to amuse them on their visits, although |
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any activity with "Granny" was bound to be great fun; she adored |
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taking them shopping or on other outings, and her enthusiasm and |
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creativity helped them develop their imaginations; and |
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WHEREAS, Willie Belle Porter brought joy to all who were |
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privileged to know her, and her shining example of resilience, |
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generosity, and devotion will forever remain an inspiration to |
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those she leaves behind; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Willie Belle Porter |
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and that sincere condolences be extended to the members of her |
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family: to her daughters, Diane Patrick and her husband, Ned, |
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Suzanne Gordon and her husband, Pete, and Jane Ellis Statton; to her |
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grandchildren, Craig Patrick, Claire Casteel, Edwin, Todd, and Chad |
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Gordon, and Tori and Madison Statton; to her great-grandchildren, |
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Garrett, Drake, and Wren Casteel, Stella and Mia Patrick, and |
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Choochy, Jackson, Paul, Katie, Noah, Finneas, Jillian, Benjamin, |
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and Fyetka Gordon; and to her other relatives and friends; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas House |
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of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in the memory of |
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Willie Belle Porter. |
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Patrick |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 144 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on February 24, 2011. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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