81R29516 JGH-D
By: Kent H.R. No. 1944
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of
entrepreneur and community leader Marion Allen Mitchell of Dallas,
who died on April 7, 2009, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, Marion Allen Mitchell was born in Wheelock on May
15, 1925, to Elijah and Amanda Mitchell; he graduated from Kemp High
School in Bryan; after working as a farmer during World War II, he
moved to Dallas, where he was employed by Edmar Ford, Acme Brick
Company, and Braniff Airways; and
WHEREAS, While working at Preston Forest Tower in the 1960s,
Mr. Mitchell realized that the building's mail was delivered by a
private company, not the U.S. Postal Service, and in 1966, he
started his own business, contracting with the post office to carry
mail between Garland and Dallas; and
WHEREAS, First known as Mitchell Transportation and later as
Mitchell Mail Service, the company was the first private mail
carrier to be owned by an African American in Dallas; it grew over
the next 25 years from a single truck to a company of 50 employees
transporting U.S. mail all over North Texas and leasing trailers to
the postal service; Mr. Mitchell also owned a truck service
terminal; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell was a leading member of his profession,
serving as a member of the board of the National Association of
Letter Carriers and as a vice president of the National Star Route
Mail Contractors Association; and
WHEREAS, A man of strong religious faith, Mr. Mitchell was an
active member of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church, serving on
the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee, the Building
Committee, and the board of trustees; he was active in the greater
community as well, as a member of the Civic League, the Dallas Black
Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas African American Museum, and he
was a lifetime member of the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, Marion Mitchell exemplified the virtues of
integrity, hard work, and initiative, and his legacy of achievement
and commitment to his community will continue to inspire those he
leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Marion Allen Mitchell
and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife of 65 years, Irene Shields Mitchell; to his children,
Constance Mitchell-Sharpe and Fred Mitchell, Sr.; to his brother,
Benjamin Mitchell; to his sister, Estelle Mitchell-Adams; to his
grandchildren, Regina Mitchell-Gillstrap, Marilyn Mitchell-Pope,
and Fred Mitchell, Jr.; to his great-granddaughters, Danielle and
Gina Pope; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Marion
Allen Mitchell.