TITLE: In memory of Edna Belle Pemberton of Dallas.

SUMMARY: In memory of Edna Belle Pemberton of Dallas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of Dallas in mourning the loss of Edna Belle Pemberton, who died April 13, 2025, at the age of 81; and WHEREAS, Edna was born in Chicago on March 27, 1944, as the youngest of nine children; after losing her mother and growing up in the foster care system from a young age, Edna was led to a life of service, and she went on to commit much of her time, energy, and talents as a tireless advocate for positive change, a voice for her community, and a force for good; and WHEREAS, Edna met the love of her life, the late DarNell Pemberton, while attending church as a teenager in Chicago, and they married on September 19, 1964; Edna and DarNell were blessed with four daughters, and throughout more than four decades together, they built a rewarding partnership founded on boundless love and their dedication to serving their family and community; they went on to adopt and help raise eight of her nieces, nephews, and young relatives, and their family of 14 resided in California before relocating to Dallas and settling in the Oak Cliff neighborhood; and WHEREAS, An exemplary citizen, Edna was respected for her numerous accomplishments and for her work in addressing inequities in southern Dallas; she began her career by working as a stockroom employee at Kmart and advanced into management positions, and she led various supply drives and community initiatives through her role with the company; her positive impact on the city and her fellow residents and neighbors included her efforts to enact a youth curfew to improve safety and crime, to extend bus lines for residents to access necessary services, and to save and revitalize the Southwest Center Mall, formerly the Red Bird Mall, in Dallas; and WHEREAS, Mrs. P, as she was affectionately known to many, was active in numerous local organizations, including the Dallas Chapter NAACP, the Martin Luther King Center, and Camp Wisdom Now; she was a founder of Positively Oak Cliff, a nonprofit coalition of entrepreneurs and community leaders, and she served as a voter registrar and precinct chair in her local precinct; she was the recipient of numerous accolades, including several Governors' awards for her contributions to her community, and she was honored to serve as a torchbearer in Dallas ahead of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta; and WHEREAS, A role model of compassion and resilience, Edna was a friend to all and a mother-figure and mentor to many; she practiced her faith in her daily life, and she was an active and longtime member and community leader of Concord Missionary Baptist Church; her passion for helping others and her dedication to her Oak Cliff community made a lasting difference in the lives of innumerable people in their times of need and who were experiencing such challenges as natural disasters and financial struggles; and WHEREAS, Although Edna found immense fulfillment in her role as a community volunteer, advocate, and activist, above all, she cherished spending quality time together with those closest to her; her unflagging support and love for her family set a shining example for her children, who have gone on to serve as educators, community leaders, and volunteers; she was a devoted mother and grandmother and a revered figure in the Dallas community, and she leaves behind an extraordinary legacy and countless memories that will be treasured forever by her many loved ones and by all who were privileged to share in her life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Edna Belle Pemberton; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Edna Pemberton. West President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 28, 2025, by a rising vote.