TITLE: In memory of Pearl Lilley Fincher of Spring.

SUMMARY: In memory of Pearl Lilley Fincher of Spring.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Pearl Lilley Fincher of Spring, a successful businesswoman and noted philanthropist who left an indelible imprint on the lives of countless individuals, passed away on June 3, 2010, at the age of 75; and WHEREAS, One of 11 children, Pearl Lilley was born to Selma Lilley and Hubert Lilley, a Baptist minister, in Evergreen on April 23, 1935; throughout her life, she honored the lessons her parents taught her about the importance of faith, family, and generosity; and WHEREAS, It was after moving to Northwest Houston in 1953 that she met her husband, Fred Fincher; the couple opened a car dealership, Fred Fincher Motors, in 1959, and over the years, Mrs. Fincher was involved in several additional enterprises; she and her husband shared a devoted union until his passing in 1996; and WHEREAS, Impelled by a strong sense of civic responsibility, Pearl Fincher became active in politics, staunchly supporting candidates for whom she had great personal respect and serving as president of the Northwest Forest Republican Women from 1999 to 2000; having instilled in her children a similar ethic of community engagement and leadership, she took immense pride when her daughter Patricia Harless was sworn in as the representative for Texas House District 126; and WHEREAS, A woman who had known hardship and who had gone on to ring up successive achievements, Mrs. Fincher had a rare gift for inspiring self-confidence in others and sought especially to help and encourage women in business; she worked with the Lone Star College Foundation and donated generously to several charities, among them Northwest Assistance Ministries; she also gave freely of her time and talents as a member of the boards of the American Heart Association, The Centrum Arts League, the Tomball Regional Arts Council, and the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts; the latter facility, which operates in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and other public and private lenders, opened in Northwest Houston in 2008 and was made possible, in no small measure, by the high esteem that Mrs. Fincher enjoyed among community and political leaders in the area; and WHEREAS, Pearl Fincher's uncommon strength was matched by her infinite kindness, graciousness, and dignity, as well as by an irrepressible sense of humor; she enriched immeasurably the lives of her family and a host of friends, and they will forever hold her close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Pearl Lilley Fincher and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her daughters and their husbands, Vicki and Red Brown and the Honorable Patricia Harless and Sam Harless; to her sons and their wives, Donald and Debbie Fincher, Roger and Yvonne Hess, Adrian Fincher, and John Fincher; to her stepsons and their wives, Jay and Mary Fincher and Andy and Dixie Fincher; to her 44 grandchildren, including spouses; and to her many great-grandchildren; 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 Pearl Lilley Fincher. Patrick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 387 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 3, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House