TITLE: In memory of Lou Ellen Truesdale of Killeen.

SUMMARY: In memory of Lou Ellen Truesdale of Killeen.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Family and friends were deeply saddened by the passing of admired educator Lou Ellen Truesdale of Killeen on December 31, 2022, at the age of 77; and WHEREAS, The daughter of Joe and Bernice Cooper, the former Ellen Cooper was born on November 6, 1945; she grew up on the family farm between Holland and Salado with six younger siblings, James, Rebecca, Peggy, Wanda, Karen, and John; after graduating from Holland High School, she completed her bachelor's degree in health and physical education at Mary Hardin-Baylor College and began teaching at Sugar Loaf Elementary School in Killeen; on July 20, 1968, she was joined in matrimony to Charles A. Truesdale; and WHEREAS, When Smith Middle School opened on Fort Hood, Mrs. Truesdale was recruited to teach P.E. and coach volleyball, basketball, and track; she then joined the faculty of the new Ellison High School, where she initially coached and taught both health and P.E.; later, she focused on teaching and launched Ellison's first outdoor education and CPR/first aid classes; she was a mentor to other teachers, and she and her husband took her outdoor education students on overnight campouts; named Secondary Teacher of the Year for 1981 by the Killeen Classroom Teachers Association, she was honored as Outstanding Teacher of the Year at Ellison as well; in 2002, she retired, following a distinguished 35-year career; and WHEREAS, A woman of faith, Mrs. Truesdale joined First United Methodist Church in 1968 and became very active in worship groups and such activities as MYF, Sunday school, fried pie-making, and Abigail Circle, which she particularly enjoyed; she and her husband spent countless happy hours camping, backpacking, canoeing, hunting, and fishing together, especially in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming and with Remington Steel, their treasured dog; for 45 years, Mrs. Truesdale was a committee member of the Killeen/Fort Hood Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, and she was a race official for Texas Water Safari for almost three decades; she was also an officer of the Governor Samuel Mathews Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; and WHEREAS, Although Ellen Truesdale is greatly missed by those she left behind, they will forever remember the warmth and kindness she brought into their lives; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Lou Ellen Truesdale and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her husband, Chuck Truesdale; to her siblings, Peggy Sralla, Wanda Cooper, Karen Sanders, and John Cooper; and to all others 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 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Lou Ellen Truesdale. Buckley Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1141 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 28, 2023. Chief Clerk of the House