SLS 11RS-2110 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 84
BY SENATOR BROOME
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Thelma Louise "Mame"
Wethers McDonald.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers McDonald.3
WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana4
has learned of the death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers McDonald, age eighty-nine, on5
May 18, 2011; and 6
WHEREAS, Thelma Louise Wethers was born on March 2, 1922, in Berwick,7
Louisiana, to the Reverend Dr. Carl T. and Bettye Bagnerise Wethers, and was a resident of8
Baton Rouge; and9
WHEREAS, Mame completed elementary/high school education from The10
Demonstration School which is currently Southern University Laboratory School and11
received her bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from Southern12
University; and13
WHEREAS, she furthered her education, specializing in dance, and was awarded her14
master of arts degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and thirty hours15
plus above the master's in life and earth science from Louisiana State University; and16
WHEREAS, while enrolled at Southern University, Mame was elected Miss17
Southern (1942 and 1943) and Omega Sweetheart; and18 SR NO. 84
SLS 11RS-2110 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, at Northwestern University, she was the only African American in the1
National Dance Honor Society "ORCHESIS", a member of Quibblers Club and was asked2
to join the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe; and3
WHEREAS, Mame returned home and was hired by Southern University and while4
teaching in the public school system, she continued to work with the in-service department5
at Southern University until she retired in 1980; and6
WHEREAS, in 1974, she was selected Teacher of the Year and in 1975, was selected7
as Outstanding Secondary Educator of America; and8
WHEREAS, Mame was the first P.E. teacher for girls; trained the cheerleaders,9
majorettes and Lionettes; and created a uniform cheering section for football games named10
the "Pepters"; and11
WHEREAS, she also taught students the Tennessee Waltz and square dances at12
Capitol Junior High School and Capitol Senior High School; and13
WHEREAS, Mame was loved and highly respected by her former students,14
frequently attending class reunions as an honoree and other school activities, classes15
1950s-1980s; and16
WHEREAS, as a member of the Matrons Club, she taught the debutantes/escorts the17
waltz presented for many years at the debutante balls; and18
WHEREAS, her personal recognitions include participation in the Thomas Edison19
Centennial Institute at LSU; adviser, Future Scientists of America; member, state Education20
Evaluation Committee; National Science Foundation and Certificate of Merit of21
Achievement; recipient of the American Cancer Society Prestigious Life Savers Award and22
also served as member on the executive board of directors, Louisiana Division; and23
WHEREAS, Mame was recognized in the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame,24
inductee; Pioneer Woman's Basketball Team, assistant coach; Phi Delta Kappa, Outstanding25
Community Services and grand marshal, 2005 Southern University Homecoming Activities;26
and27
WHEREAS, she was affiliated with the Matrons Club, Baton Rouge Community28
Chorus and Playhouse, troop leader Junior Girl Scouts, Tally-Up Bridge Club, Emerald29
Flower Garden Club, executive board of Parkwood Terrace Association, past member, and30 SR NO. 84
SLS 11RS-2110 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
La Capitale Chapter, Links Inc., Baton Rouge Chapter, lifetime member of Delta Sigma1
Theta Sorority Inc., founder, past president and charter member of the Baker-Zachary2
Alumnae Chapter; and3
WHEREAS, Mame was a devoted Christian woman who was very active in her4
church for fifty years; and5
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Moses L.6
McDonald; her parents; and other family members; and7
WHEREAS, Mame was survived by her daughters, Mada Yvonne McDonald Clark8
and Niemha Carlene McDonald Lowe and husband Michael; and grandson, Bryant A. Clark9
and wife Asha; and10
WHEREAS, she was an activist, choreographer, educator, innovator, motivator,11
organizer, role model and trailblazer while also being a loving and caring mother, wife,12
daughter, grandmother, church member, soror, neighbor, and friend; and13
WHEREAS, Mame loved her family dearly and others; was a sincere and avid sports14
fan of football, basketball and soccer; possessed high morals and values; and her family15
foundation was top priority in her life; and16
WHEREAS, the death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers McDonald has left a17
tremendous void in her community and has created a genuine sense of sorrow in the many18
individuals who mourn the loss of this wonderful woman whose memory shall forever19
remain alive in their minds and hearts.20
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana21
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers22
McDonald.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Mada24
Clark and Niemha Lowe.25
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Broome SR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers McDonald..