SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 877

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the members of the Williams-Livingston family on the grand occasion of their annual family reunion, which is being held June 2 and 3, 2017, in Kirvin; and

WHEREAS, Every year on the first Saturday in June, members of the Williams-Livingston family hold a reunion to celebrate their heritage and to commemorate the birth of Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams; they invite friends and family members from across Texas, the United States, and Canada to share their celebration of family love and unity, religious roots, and community; and

WHEREAS, Family history reveals that the Charles Livingston family moved from Virginia as freed slaves and arrived in the Freestone County area in the early 1800s; the family settled in the area known as Cotton Gin and sharecropped on various local farms; and

WHEREAS, Caroline Livingston's family moved from Alabama to Kirvin in Freestone County, arriving in covered wagons, on foot, and on horseback; they settled on the Alfred Carter farm and worked his land; and

WHEREAS, Caroline and Charles Livingston's children, Elbert Jefferson, Fannie, Foster, Elizabeth "Mama Lizzie," and Callie, supported their community and were instrumental in establishing Woods Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, which is still an active church today; they also helped create a public school system for their children and for the children from surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Williams-Livingston family who host the annual reunion are the descendants of Caroline and Charles Livingston's daughter Elizabeth "Mama Lizzie" Livingston; born July 2, 1866, she married Austin "Pop Aus" Williams, a freed slave from Tennessee, and the couple had 10 children, one of whom was Mamie Elizabeth "Mama Mae" Williams, who was born June 1, 1889; and

WHEREAS, Over the course of her long life, Mamie Elizabeth Williams became the matriarch of the Williams-Livingston family; she died in 1987 at the age of 98; her only living child, Cathelyn Francis Dawson Butcher, carries on her legacy and her love of family; and

WHEREAS, The branch of the family extending from "Mama Mae" has successfully worked to reconnect with other branches of the family from across the state and nation, and today, more new family members attend each reunion; and

WHEREAS, Williams-Livingston family members are successful men and women who have contributed greatly to their communities through their leadership, their professionalism and entrepreneurial spirit, and their concern for others; they are exemplary citizens who believe strongly in tradition and who instill in their children the values of love, family, and hard work; and

WHEREAS, The Williams-Livingston family reunion is a time to share memories, to recognize family members who have reached important milestones, and to honor new additions to the family and those who passed away since the previous reunion; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby extend to the members of the Williams-Livingston family best wishes for a joyous and memorable family reunion and recognize June 3, 2017, as Williams-Livingston Day in this state; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the family as a memento of this special occasion.

West

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 25, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate