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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 84
BY SENATORS BROOME AND DORSEY
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers McDonald.
WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
has learned of the death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers McDonald, age eighty-nine, on
May 18, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Thelma Louise Wethers was born on March 2, 1922, in Berwick,
Louisiana, to the Reverend Dr. Carl T. and Bettye Bagnerise Wethers, and was a resident of
Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, Mame completed elementary/high school education from The
Demonstration School which is currently Southern University Laboratory School and
received her bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from Southern
University; and
WHEREAS, she furthered her education, specializing in dance, and was awarded her
master of arts degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and thirty hours
plus above the master's in life and earth science from Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, while enrolled at Southern University, Mame was elected Miss
Southern (1942 and 1943) and Omega Sweetheart; and
WHEREAS, at Northwestern University, she was the only African American in the
National Dance Honor Society "ORCHESIS", a member of Quibblers Club and was asked
to join the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe; and
WHEREAS, Mame returned home and was hired by Southern University and while
teaching in the public school system, she continued to work with the in-service department
at Southern University until she retired in 1980; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, she was selected Teacher of the Year and in 1975, was selected
as Outstanding Secondary Educator of America; and SR NO. 84 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Mame was the first P.E. teacher for girls; trained the cheerleaders,
majorettes and Lionettes; and created a uniform cheering section for football games named
the "Pepters"; and
WHEREAS, she also taught students the Tennessee Waltz and square dances at
Capitol Junior High School and Capitol Senior High School; and
WHEREAS, Mame was loved and highly respected by her former students,
frequently attending class reunions as an honoree and other school activities, classes
1950s-1980s; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the Matrons Club, she taught the debutantes/escorts the
waltz presented for many years at the debutante balls; and
WHEREAS, her personal recognitions include participation in the Thomas Edison
Centennial Institute at LSU; adviser, Future Scientists of America; member, state Education
Evaluation Committee; National Science Foundation and Certificate of Merit of
Achievement; recipient of the American Cancer Society Prestigious Life Savers Award and
also served as member on the executive board of directors, Louisiana Division; and
WHEREAS, Mame was recognized in the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame,
inductee; Pioneer Woman's Basketball Team, assistant coach; Phi Delta Kappa, Outstanding
Community Services and grand marshal, 2005 Southern University Homecoming Activities;
and
WHEREAS, she was affiliated with the Matrons Club, Baton Rouge Community
Chorus and Playhouse, troop leader Junior Girl Scouts, Tally-Up Bridge Club, Emerald
Flower Garden Club, executive board of Parkwood Terrace Association, past member, and
La Capitale Chapter, Links Inc., Baton Rouge Chapter, lifetime member of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority Inc., founder, past president and charter member of the Baker-Zachary
Alumnae Chapter; and
WHEREAS, Mame was a devoted Christian woman who was very active in her
church for fifty years; and
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Moses L.
McDonald; her parents; and other family members; and
WHEREAS, Mame is survived by her daughters, Mada Yvonne McDonald Clark and SR NO. 84 ENROLLED
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Niemha Carlene McDonald Lowe and husband Michael; and grandson, Bryant A. Clark and
wife Asha; and
WHEREAS, she was an activist, choreographer, educator, innovator, motivator,
organizer, role model and trailblazer while also being a loving and caring mother, wife,
daughter, grandmother, church member, soror, neighbor, and friend; and
WHEREAS, Mame loved her family dearly and others; was a sincere and avid sports
fan of football, basketball and soccer; possessed high morals and values; and her family
foundation was top priority in her life; and
WHEREAS, the death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers McDonald has left a
tremendous void in her community and has created a genuine sense of sorrow in the many
individuals who mourn the loss of this wonderful woman whose memory shall forever
remain alive in their minds and hearts.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Thelma Louise "Mame" Wethers
McDonald.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Mada
Clark and Niemha Lowe.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE