TITLE: In memory of Mary Virginia Smith Pendergrass.

SUMMARY: In memory of Mary Virginia Smith Pendergrass.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends of Mary Virginia Smith Pendergrass, who passed away on October 19, 2019, at the age of 92; and WHEREAS, The daughter of Henry and Jewel Tate Smith, the former Mary Smith was born in Huntsville on September 14, 1927; she graduated from North High School in Columbus, Ohio, and earned a sociology degree from Baylor University in 1948; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Pendergrass worked as executive director of the Camp Fire Girls of Alice and went on to serve as president of the 20th Century Study Club and the Parent Teachers Association in Pittsburg; named Woman of the Year by the Pittsburg-Camp County Chamber of Commerce, she led efforts to pay domestic workers minimum wage, and she helped start the county's first Republican Party; furthermore, she was a Camp County child protective services officer and an adult probation officer in Mount Pleasant; and WHEREAS, In 1981, Mrs. Pendergrass moved to Austin, earning her Texas real estate and broker licenses and specializing in national relocation for Sherry Brown Realtors; civically engaged, she twice served as a delegate for Texas State Republican Conventions and lent her time to the board of directors of the Austin Musical Theater; she was also president of The Order of the Daughters of the King and a longtime congregant of St. David's Episcopal Church; and WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Mrs. Pendergrass enjoyed the love and support of her husband, Dr. Robert Keith Pendergrass Sr., with whom she shared a rewarding marriage of 67 years until his death; she took great pride in her four children, Robert, Mary, Henry, and Peter, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Mary Pendergrass showered those she held dear with unconditional love, and she leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, and generosity that will continue to inspire all who knew her; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Mary Virginia Smith Pendergrass and extend deepest condolences to the members of her family: to her children, Robert Keith Pendergrass Jr. and his wife, Juli, Mary Virginia Lannen and her husband, Rick, Henry Lee Pendergrass and his wife, Colleen, and Peter William Pendergrass and his wife, Desiree; to her grandchildren, Virginia Leigh Hart, John Bucy III, Richard Henry Lannen, Anna Pendergrass Rankin, and Sarah, Peter, Katherine, Abby, and Annie Pendergrass; to her step-grandchildren, Whitney and Justin Lannen; to her great-grandchildren, Catherine, Jackson, and Ryan Hart and Bradley Bucy; 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 Mary Pendergrass. Bucy Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1338 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 26, 2021. Chief Clerk of the House