H.R. No. 330

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends of Frances Gail Sears of Kerrville, who passed away on December 31, 2010, at the age of 75; and

WHEREAS, A native of San Antonio, Gail Sears was born on November 12, 1935, to Frances and Hugh McWilliams; she graduated from Tivy High School and majored in drama at The University of Texas at Austin, where she met her husband, Michael Edwin Sears; the couple shared 54 years together and were blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Kari; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sears was active in her children's education and dedicated to improving life for area youth; in addition to serving as president of the Notre Dame Catholic School Board, she was a valued member of the PTA, and she volunteered to drive a bus so that West Kerr County students could attend school in Kerrville; she also helped to found the Community Service Council, a group that teaches dance and drama to disadvantaged children, and served as a liaison for the March of Dimes, driving her own car to transport young patients and their parents to San Antonio; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, Mrs. Sears began teaching an exercise class for her friends at Holy Cross Lutheran Church; discovering a passion for health and fitness, she went on to found Gail's Aerobic Lifestyle, offering classes at the Municipal Auditorium; she later opened her own storefront, the Center for Fitness, or "Gail's Place," as it was known by many, which was expanded to include another location in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sears earned certifications from the Cooper Institute, American Council on Exercise, and Ron Fletcher Program of Study for Pilates; known for her expertise and enthusiasm, she developed workout programs for employees at local businesses and conducted seminars for area firefighters and law enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, she was awarded a number of accolades for her efforts to enrich her community, including the titles of Woman of the Year from the Kerr County Women's Chamber of Commerce and Hill Country Life Treasure from the Kerrville Daily Times; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sears treasured her faith and served the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults as a lector, sponsor, and choir member; she also shared her time with the Catholic Youth Organization and Marriage Encounter, participated in liturgical dance, and taught Sunday school; in her free time, she enjoyed gardening and painting as well as making props, sewing costumes, and acting in performances produced by the Hill Country Arts Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Although the death of Gail Sears has brought great sorrow to those who loved her, she demonstrated what a positive difference one committed individual can make in the lives of others, and she will long be remembered with deep admiration and affection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Frances Gail Sears and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her husband, Eddie Sears; to her daughters, Kathy Hall and her husband, Charles, and Kari Morrison and her husband, Robert; to her grandsons, Townsend and Raleigh Morrison; to her sisters, Sandra Hunt and her husband, Jim, and Karen Raymond; 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 Frances Gail Sears.

Hilderbran

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 330 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 24, 2011.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House