TITLE: In memory of Lena D. Wilson.

SUMMARY: In memory of Lena D. Wilson.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Residents of Corpus Christi lost an admired civic leader with the passing of Lena D. Wilson on September 8, 2021, at the age of 91; and WHEREAS, The daughter of Dovie Sutton and Albert Satterwhite, the former Lena Delores Satterwhite was born in Gonzales County on August 31, 1930; she grew up in Seguin and demonstrated a strong work ethic as a young girl, bussing tables at a hotel caf  and holding down a job at a dry cleaners; after graduating from Lincoln-Ball High School in 1949, she completed nursing school, but she left that field to earn a master's degree in business; she owned a popular restaurant and music venue before focusing her career on social services; and WHEREAS, In 1976, she moved to Corpus Christi, where she established herself as an entrepreneur, owning such businesses as the Unity Chapel Funeral Home; she married Frank Alfred Wilson and devoted herself to their treasured family, including twin daughters Lana and Dana and son Al; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Wilson became executive director of HIALCO, a community service agency, and then director of mental retardation vocational services for the Nueces County MHMR Community Center; a pioneer in vocational education, she was also instrumental in the establishment of two residential homes for people with disabilities, Elliott Grant Homes and Jefferine Lytle Estates; she eventually launched her own company, Lena's Business Management and Consultants, as well as the nonprofit LC Foundation, which helps individuals with disabilities find permanent jobs; its initiatives have further included creation of the Lena Coleman-Wilson Hope Scholarship at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, holiday donations to children, and contributions to a local group alleviating hunger; deeply committed to education, Mrs. Wilson also funded the Lena D. Wilson Visionary Legacy Scholarship at Lincoln-Ball High School; she was a member of the League of Women Voters and president emeritus of the H. Boyd Hall branch of the NAACP, and she held leadership roles with such organizations as the United Way and the local chamber of commerce; and WHEREAS, A woman of faith, Mrs. Wilson attended church services regularly; she eventually retired to Schertz, closer to her home congregation, New St. James Baptist Church in Seguin; and WHEREAS, Lena Wilson gave freely of her time, resources, and expertise to better her community, and her contributions will be remembered and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Lena D. Wilson and extend sincere sympathy to all 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 Lena D. Wilson. Herrero Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 145 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on October 18, 2021. Chief Clerk of the House