Bill Text: TX HR112 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honoring the life of Althea Lewis Renfro of Houston.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-02-21 - Reported enrolled [HR112 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HR112-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 112 |
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WHEREAS, Althea Lewis Renfro of Houston, an esteemed educator | ||
and friend to many, passed away on December 27, 2012, at the age of | ||
85; and | ||
WHEREAS, Born in Houston on February 10, 1927, to Elijah and | ||
Martha Lewis, "AlphaBelle" Lewis attended Bruce Elementary School | ||
and Phillis Wheatley High School, where she was active in the Purple | ||
and White Squadron and Wheatley's Lovable Troubadours; graduating | ||
at the age of 15, she enrolled at Texas Southern University and went | ||
on to earn both bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as her | ||
teaching certification in chemistry, physical science, general | ||
science, homemaking, kindergarten, and elementary education; and | ||
WHEREAS, This industrious young woman initially taught in | ||
Louisiana before returning to Texas and joining the staff of the | ||
Double Bayou School in Anahuac; she subsequently went to work for | ||
the Houston Independent School District, and during long tenures at | ||
Crawford and Hohl Elementary Schools, Mrs. Renfro served as a | ||
positive influence on many young people; admired for her | ||
leadership, she chaired the Faculty Advisory Council at Crawford | ||
Elementary and was the United Negro College Fund school | ||
representative; and | ||
WHEREAS, In addition to her professional achievements, | ||
Mrs. Renfro served as the pianist for three different churches and | ||
directed the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church senior choir and | ||
male chorus; she was a gifted and prolific poet as well who authored | ||
more than 300 poems and composed several gospel songs; and | ||
WHEREAS, Mrs. Renfro participated in a variety of worthwhile | ||
organizations, including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the National | ||
Teachers Association, the National Education Association, the | ||
LaVioleta Social and Charity Club, and the Order of the Eastern | ||
Star; she assisted the Red Cross and the Greater Houston Convention | ||
and Visitors Bureau as a volunteer, and she established the Ted | ||
Taylor Fan Club, a group that sponsored field trips and cultural | ||
outings for teens in the Fifth Ward; and | ||
WHEREAS, The mother of three children, she was also a devoted | ||
mother figure to the children of her two blended families; before | ||
becoming the beloved wife of Porter Renfro, Jr., she supported her | ||
children in numerous activities, attending countless football | ||
games, marching band performances, and Girl Scout campouts; later, | ||
she and Mr. Renfro became known as "Mommadear" and "Granddaddy" to | ||
their close-knit circle of loved ones; during their 40 years | ||
together, the couple traveled extensively and hosted many | ||
gatherings in their home; and | ||
WHEREAS, Althea Renfro made a meaningful difference in the | ||
world around her, and she leaves behind a legacy that will continue | ||
to inspire others for years to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas | ||
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Althea Lewis Renfro | ||
and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her | ||
children, Algenita Segars and her husband, Ardie, and Jacky Scott | ||
and his wife, Cynthia; to her grandchildren, Marthea Davis, Jackea | ||
M. Scott, and John W. Davis IV; to her stepchildren, Ronald Bennett | ||
and his wife, Joyce, David Earl Renfro, Pat Renfro, Porter Renfro | ||
III, and Porter Renfro IV; and to her other relatives and 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 Althea | ||
Lewis Renfro. | ||
Dutton | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 112 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
rising vote of the House on February 18, 2013. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||