84R23359 BPG-D

By: Anderson of McLennan H.R. No. 2235

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Baylor University community was deeply saddened by the passing of Mary Wilson Russell McCall on November 13, 2014, at the age of 95; and

WHEREAS, Born in Chillicothe on October 7, 1919, the former Mary Wilson was the daughter of Dora and Quincy Wilson; she graduated from Vernon High School and enrolled in Baylor University at the age of 16; following her marriage to Lloyd Russell, she completed her bachelor's degree at North Texas State University, and she taught at that institution during World War II while her husband served in the U.S. Navy; Dr. Russell subsequently became a department chair at Baylor and the couple returned to Waco; and

WHEREAS, She was employed as a teacher and counselor in Waco public schools and earned her master's degree from Baylor; after the untimely death of Dr. Russell in 1968, she was fortunate enough to find love a second time with Dr. Abner McCall, the president and chancellor of Baylor; they married on Christmas Day in 1970, and she fully embraced the role of first lady of the institution; and

WHEREAS, Committed to expanding access to higher education, Mrs. McCall served as president of the Baylor Round Table and led the creation of its scholarship fund; she was instrumental in the establishment of the Lloyd O. Russell Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Abner V. and Mary McCall Scholarship Fund; in addition, she was a charter member of the President's Club and the Endowed Scholarship Society, and she was co-president of the Heritage Club; also benefiting her sorority, she served as an advisor to the Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. McCall designed and supervised the building of the president's home, and she was chair of the wives' organization of the Southern Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities; she enjoyed getting to know the other presidents and their spouses, but she took the greatest pleasure in making Baylor a warm and welcoming place; over the years, she helped students cook dinners to impress their girlfriends, located elusive homecoming game tickets for their dates, and graciously opened her home to hundreds of people; and

WHEREAS, The university recognized Mrs. McCall with one of its highest honors, the Founders Award, and she received the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award from the Baylor University Alumni Association; she was named a Yellow Rose of Texas by then-governor George W. Bush, and her two daughters, Linda Letbetter and Nancy Chapman, donated the Mary McCall Chapel of the Baylor Panhellenic Building in her honor; and

WHEREAS, Benefiting the wider community as well, Mrs. McCall was a member of the Historic Waco Foundation, the Brazos Forum, the Thursday Study Club, and the Waco Literary Club; moreover, she was a trustee of the First Baptist Church of Waco, and she taught Sunday school, took part in missions, and delivered Meals on Wheels; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Dr. McCall died, and eight years later, Mrs. McCall moved to the Edgemere Retirement Community in Dallas; she served on its board, and she joined Park Cities Baptist Church and served as president of both her Sunday school class and the Variety Book Club; she was also a sustaining member of the Baylor University Women's Council of Dallas, which recognized her with its Woman of Distinction Award, and she belonged to the Ermance Book Club of Dallas; and

WHEREAS, Mary McCall made a lasting, positive impact on Baylor University through her vision, leadership, and dedication, and although she is profoundly missed by her loved ones, she left a legacy that they can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mary Wilson Russell McCall and extend sincere condolences to her family and 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 Mary McCall.