81R31738 MG-D
By: Homer H.C.R. No. 230
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Arlene Wilson Russell of Mount Pleasant on October 29,
2008, at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, The former Arlene Wilson was born in Granger on
October 20, 1910, to Charles Alexander Wilson and Bonnie Constance
Booker Wilson, and she was later joined by eight siblings; when she
was in the 10th grade, her family relocated to Kenedy, and she went
to live with her grandmother in Austin, where she could finish high
school and continue taking shorthand, typing, and other business
courses; she graduated among the top three in her class and began
working as a secretary at an automobile agency; and
WHEREAS, In January 1929, Mrs. Russell joined the staff of
the Texas House of Representatives as a stenographer, and having
enjoyed this experience tremendously, she returned for three
additional regular sessions and several called sessions over the
next six years; during each interim, she would seek temporary
employment and anxiously wait for the following session to convene;
in 1933, she served as the assistant to the chief clerk of the Texas
House, and she delighted in sharing a desk in front of the speaker's
rostrum, spending more time on the house floor, and becoming
acquainted with the members--including a handsome new
representative from Titus County named Traylor Russell; and
WHEREAS, After working alongside one another in Austin and
developing a relationship, Mr. and Mrs. Russell were married on
April 5, 1935, and they stayed at the Driskill Hotel through the end
of that year's legislative session, at which point they settled in
Mount Pleasant; while her husband built a law practice, Mrs.
Russell worked as the assistant to the county clerk, and by 1941,
she was focused on raising a family; the couple were blessed with a
son, Bob, and twins, Sam and Rebecca; Mr. Russell went on to become
district attorney, and Mrs. Russell was active in her community as a
member of the Southside Church of Christ and the Junior Kroweldeen
Club; and
WHEREAS, Arlene Russell enhanced the lives of all those who
were fortunate enough to share in her love and friendship, and she
will long be remembered with great admiration and affection; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of Arlene Wilson Russell and extend
sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her sons, Robert
Traylor Russell and Sam Russell and his wife, Janet; to her
daughter, Rebecca Quebe and her husband, George; to her
grandchildren, Clay Russell and Monica and Jeff Welborn; to her
great-grandchildren, Tyler and Jack Welborn; to her sister, Carolyn
Singleton and her husband, Hugh; and to her other relatives and
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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Arlene Wilson Russell.