SLS 23RS-3028 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 208
BY SENATOR BARROW
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Doveal
Essex.
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of
3 Doveal Austin Essex.
4 WHEREAS, Doveal Austin Essex was born Naomi Doveal Austin on May 9, 1921,
5in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, to Johnie Austin and Katie Cousin Austin, and she was christened
6at Tasker's Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Ponchatoula; and
7 WHEREAS, Doveal attended elementary school at Ponchatoula's Rosenwald School;
8she graduated from Kentwood Tangipahoa Parish Training School and enrolled at the
9formerly named Louisiana Negro Normal, now known as Grambling State University; she
10graduated in May 1945 with a bachelor of science degree in education and began her
11professional career as a teacher in Ponchatoula; she later earned a master's degree at the
12University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; and
13 WHEREAS, Doveal married Henry Leroy Essex on October 11, 1945; Mrs. Essex
14moved to Grambling to take a position at Grambling's Demonstration School where she
15taught until 1953; the Essex family increased with the birth of two daughters, Constant
16Elizabeth and Sylvia Marie; and
17 WHEREAS, the Essex family moved to Baton Rouge where Mrs. Essex worked as
18an elementary school teacher until she accepted a position at Southern University's College
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SLS 23RS-3028 ORIGINAL
1of Education; she worked at Southern University until her retirement in 1976, after thirty
2years of dedicated service; and
3 WHEREAS, Mrs. Essex was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Scotlandville
4where she served as a Sunday School teacher and president of the Women of the Church; she
5also volunteered with Red Cross and Meals on Wheels; she was docent and member of the
6Louisiana Arts and Science Museum Board and held membership in the Gamma Eta Omega
7Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Baton Rouge Chapter of The Links, Inc.,
8and many other civic organizations; and
9 WHEREAS, Mrs. Essex was a recipient of the Silver Magnolia Award from the
10Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge for her community service; and
11 WHEREAS, Doveal Austin Essex was a true light in the Baton Rouge community;
12she gave selflessly to others throughout the course of her inspiring life, and she will be
13deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of sharing in her beautiful light.
14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
15does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Doveal Austin Essex and does
16hereby extend sincerest wishes that her family, friends, and loved ones find comfort in their
17shared memories of her beautiful life.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Kathy Liberty.
DIGEST
SR 208 Original 2023 Regular Session Barrow
Expresses condolences upon the death of Doveal Essex.
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