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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life lived with joy and purpose drew to a close on |
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May 2, 2025, with the passing of Ethel Branch of Longview at the age |
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of 81; and |
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WHEREAS, The youngest child of Dick and Marie Rowland, the |
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former Ethel Rowland was born on December 19, 1943, in Orlando, |
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Florida; after graduating high school, she worked in mortgage |
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lending before embarking on a long and successful career in real |
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estate; in 1995, she joined Lenhart Properties, now Coldwell Banker |
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Lenhart Properties, and in the course of her 30 years with the |
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agency, she was a top performer as well as a mentor and leader to her |
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colleagues; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1986, she married Barney Branch, and the couple |
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went on to share a rewarding marriage that spanned nearly four |
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decades; Mrs. Branch's life was greatly enriched by her stepsons, |
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Trey and Scott, as well as her three grandchildren and seven |
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great-grandchildren; a woman of deep faith, she served as an usher |
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at Trinity Episcopal Church; she also gave generously of her time |
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and talents to the Green Thumb Garden Club, and she had a lifelong |
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passion for the beach, especially the Florida coast; and |
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WHEREAS, Admired for her warmth, kindness, and quick wit, |
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Ethel Branch brightened the world for all who knew her, and they |
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will forever hold her close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature, 1st |
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Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Ethel Branch and |
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extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of her family: to her |
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husband, Barney Branch; to her sister-in-law, Jo Ann Ford, and her |
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children, Jill, Gail, and Greg; to her stepsons, Trey Branch and |
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Scott Branch and his wife, Christy; to her grandchildren, Connor, |
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Carson, and Karly Branch; to her great-grandchildren; and to her |
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many other relatives and host of friends; and, be 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 Ethel Branch. |