TITLE: In memory of Willie Jean Birmingham of Marshall.

SUMMARY: In memory of Willie Jean Birmingham of Marshall.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Marshall community lost a beloved educator, trailblazing civic leader, and friend to many with the passing of former city commissioner Willie Jean Birmingham on October 23, 2022, at the age of 93; and WHEREAS, Born to Willie and Edna Perry in Coldspring on January 3, 1929, the former Jean Perry grew up with five siblings, Douglass, Dolphus, Altha, Mervin, and Ervin; she began her education at the age of three in a one-room school built after Emancipation; because there was no local high school for Black children, she attended Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston, graduating as valedictorian at the age of 15; she went on to graduate magna cum laude from Prairie View A&M University; and WHEREAS, She wed her college sweetheart, Edwin Locke, and they became the parents of a son, Gene; tragically widowed at 18, she soldiered on, beginning her teaching career in Goodrich and earning her master's degree at Prairie View; she was fortunate to find love a second time with Roy Marshall, and their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Rhonda; in 1952, they settled in Marshall, where she began teaching business at Pemberton High School; she transferred to the newly desegregated Marshall High School in 1970; over the course of four decades, she gave countless students the confidence to reach their full potential and mentored many younger educators; and WHEREAS, With her marriage to Samuel Birmingham, she gained two more daughters, Janice and Cheryl; the couple owned Birmingham's Barbecue and Birmingham's Department Store, and they were very active in the business community; after assisting her husband in his successful campaigns to become Marshall's first Black city commissioner and first Black mayor, Mrs. Birmingham became the first Black woman elected to the city commission; she represented District 1 with skill and dedication for 14 years, working tirelessly in behalf of her fellow citizens; her sweet nature and warm smile endeared her to all, and her contributions fostered an atmosphere of positive change, helping to bridge divides in the community; and WHEREAS, Over the years, Mrs. Birmingham served in numerous leadership roles, including president of the Harrison County Historical Museum board and member of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Harrison County Historical Commission; she was instrumental in securing Marshall's designation as an All-America City and gave generously of her time and talents to such organizations as the Marshall NAACP, Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and League of Women Voters; among numerous accolades, she received the East Texas Baptist University Sam B. Hall Jr. Civic Service Award and the Harrison County Historical Commission Award of Merit; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Birmingham was a treasured member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church; she served as Sunday school superintendent, and fellow congregants often went to her for wise advice; in her last years, when health concerns prompted a move to Houston, she joined her son and his wife at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church; she loved taking part in Bible study and attended virtual services faithfully during the pandemic; above all, she was devoted to her family, which grew to include 11 grandchildren, who called her "Precious," and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, The life of Jean Birmingham stands as an inspiring example of joyful service to others, and she will always be remembered with deep admiration and great affection by all who were fortunate enough to know her; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Willie Jean Birmingham and extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn her passing; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jean Birmingham.