SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 11
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Mary Lou Bunkley Kirven
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
  commemorates the life of Mary Lou Bunkley Kirven, a cherished
  Dallas resident, who died January 13, 2021, at the age of 91; and
         WHEREAS, Mary Lou Bunkley was born in Denison, and she
  graduated from Terrell High School at the age of 16; a determined
  young woman, she went on to make notable contributions to the
  civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, and she broke
  barriers with a trailblazing career as an educator; and
         WHEREAS, Mary earned a bachelor's degree from Howard
  University and a master's degree from Prairie View A&M
  University; she served as a classroom teacher, a curriculum
  writer, and a reading specialist during her 32-year career in
  education, and she was the first African American teacher to be
  hired at Brandenburg Elementary School in Irving, Texas; and
         WHEREAS, A devoted matriarch, Mrs. Kirven shared 38 years
  of marriage with the late Howard D. Kirven, and they were blessed
  with two children, Cynthia Kirven Arterbery and the late Beverly
  Kirven Smith; her three grandchildren, Stephanie, Steven, and
  Brent, enriched her life immeasurably; and
         WHEREAS, Mary Kirven was a proud life member of the Alpha
  Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated,
  and in 2012, the sorority honored her for her work with the
  civil rights movement; she was a talented bridge player, an
  esteemed citizen, and a treasured community leader, and she
  will long be remembered with respect and admiration by all who
  were privileged to share in her life; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Mary Lou Bunkley Kirven; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
  Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
  memory of Mary Kirven.
 
  West
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on January 26, 2021, by
    a rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate