TITLE: In memory of Bonnie Sue Pierson of Austin.

SUMMARY: In memory of Bonnie Sue Pierson of Austin.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the passing of Bonnie Sue Pierson of Austin on June 2, 2014, at the age of 70; and WHEREAS, The former Bonnie Collins was born in Corsicana to Reba and Bill Collins on November 4, 1943; a member of the Alvin High School Class of 1961, she graduated with bachelor's degrees in English and French from Sam Houston State University and subsequently earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Houston in 1968; and WHEREAS, Ms. Pierson began her career in education as a teacher at Cy-Fair High School and went on to work as a school counselor for the Cypress-Fairbanks, Del Valle, Eanes, and Austin Independent School Districts; she loved working with students of all ages and also enjoyed mentoring younger counselors; deservedly named an Outstanding Counselor in Texas, she served her professional community as president of the Texas Counseling Association, and she played an instrumental role in the passage of the Licensed Professional Counselor Act, which established licensure for professional counselors and was signed into law by Governor Bill Clements in 1981; moreover, she earned the singular distinction of becoming the first licensed professional counselor in the state; she retired in 2010; and WHEREAS, This esteemed woman married Benny Pierson in 1970 and became stepmother to his three children, Kitty, Richard, and Ben; Ms. Pierson later knew the joy of welcoming into her family four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; she also found great comfort in her faith, and she was an active member of Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church; and WHEREAS, Bonnie Pierson left an indelible imprint on the lives of countless individuals, and the generosity, optimism, and integrity with which she lived her life will forever inspire all those who had the good fortune to know her; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Bonnie Sue Pierson and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her stepchildren, Kitty Hicks and Richard Pierson and his wife, Kathryn; to her stepdaughter-in-law, Becky Pierson; to her grandchildren, Luke Pierson, Lindsey Wilson and her husband, Billy, Evan Pierson, and Ashlie Morrison; to her great-grandchildren, Garrett and Kaleigh Hicks and David Morrison-Heird; to her aunt, Evelyn Smith; to her cousins, Sue Wilson, David Lee Wiggington, Pete Wiggington, and Carol Joy Bailey; and to her other relatives and many 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 Bonnie Pierson. Phillips Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 3416 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 30, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House