84R25978 JGH-D
 
  By: Turner of Tarrant H.R. No. 2326
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with the
  death of Mary Anna Edwards of Fort Worth on March 24, 2015, at the
  age of 63; and
         WHEREAS, Mary Edwards was born on May 19, 1951, to Nancy Lucy
  Edrington Edwards and Benjamin Franklin Edwards Jr.; she spent part
  of her life in Clarksville, and she was a graduate of Nolan Catholic
  High School in Fort Worth and Texas Christian University; and
         WHEREAS, This proud Texan's roots ran deep; she was descended
  from Albert H. Latimer, a signer of the Texas Declaration of
  Independence, and her father and her grandfather were both county
  attorneys for Red River County; she served as a trustee for her
  family's ranch and farm, which has been continuously operated for
  175 years; she also loved Ryan Place, her neighborhood in Fort
  Worth, and she served as president of the annual Candlelight
  Christmas there; and
         WHEREAS, A passionate lifelong Democrat, Ms. Edwards worked
  tirelessly on many political campaigns, helping to elect candidates
  for offices ranging from constable to the state legislature to
  Congress; she served on the State Democratic Executive Committee
  and on the boards of the Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats and the
  Tarrant County Central Labor Council; she was also a valued member
  of former State Representative Lon Burnam's staff; and
         WHEREAS, Ms. Edwards was a Yellow Rose of Texas and a member
  of the Daughters of the American Revolution; she was also active in
  the LGBT community and a member of the Communications Workers of
  America; and
         WHEREAS, Mary Edwards gave freely of her time, expertise, and
  energy to better her community and to support the causes in which
  she believed, and she leaves behind a record of service that her
  loved ones 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 Anna Edwards and
  extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her
  brother, Longe Edwards, and his wife, Cathy; to her niece, Emily
  Edwards; and to her other relatives and many 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
  Edwards.