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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, All who shared in the life of Joann Smith of Gilmer |
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were deeply saddened by her passing on June 13, 2023, at the age of |
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78; and |
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WHEREAS, Affectionately known as "Mama J," Joann Smith was |
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born in Dandridge, Tennessee, on August 23, 1944, to Joe and Gladys |
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Haynes, and she grew up in Knoxville with the companionship of five |
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siblings, Eula Mae, Dorothy, Louise, Jim, and Larry; she worked as a |
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lithographic stripper from 1965 to 1993 before moving to Gilmer; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith shared a rewarding marriage with her |
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husband, James Smith, that spanned 18 years until his passing in |
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2020, and her cherished family also included her stepchildren, |
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E. J., Kelli, and Krystal, as well as her 16 grandchildren; a woman |
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of strong faith, she was an active member of Glade Creek Baptist |
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Church, where she led worship for two decades; she enjoyed reading, |
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traveling, and dancing, as well as spending time with her loved |
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ones, taking care of her many animals, and supporting her grandkids |
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in their various endeavors; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Joann Smith is greatly missed, those who |
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held her dear will forever remember the warmth and kindness she |
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brought into their lives; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature, 4th |
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Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Joann "Mama J" |
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Smith and extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of her family: to |
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her sister, Louise Dunn, and her husband, Leroy; to her brother, |
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Larry Davis, and his wife, Anita; to her godson, Chris Partain, and |
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his wife, Tiffany; to her goddaughter, Angela Partain; to her |
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stepchildren, E. J. Smith and his wife, Shelly, Kelli Bean and her |
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husband, Jeff, and Krystal Smith and her husband, Jason; to her |
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grandchildren; and to her other relatives and many 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 her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Joann Smith. |