81R36895 JNC-D
By: Anderson H.R. No. 2869
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of Waco lost a beloved resident and admired
community leader with the passing of Frances Sturgis on May 22,
2009, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, A native of Tennessee, Mrs. Sturgis grew up in
Memphis and attended Mars Hill College before transferring to
Baylor University to earn degrees in English and education; she met
Carroll Sturgis while at Baylor and married him in 1937; the couple,
who would go on to share 64 years together, made their home in Waco,
and Mrs. Sturgis lovingly raised their children, Elinor and
Carroll, while substitute teaching and participating in a number of
civic organizations; among the many offices she held were president
of the Junior League of Waco, the YWCA, and the Waco Literary Club
and chair of the Art Center board of trustees, the Brazos River
Festival, and the Women's Division of the United Way; she also
served on the Historic Waco Foundation board and the Waco City
Council; and
WHEREAS, Later in life, Mrs. Sturgis joined the environmental
task force of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and became
founding chair of Keep Waco Beautiful, and her passion for
enhancing the physical landscape of her city would define her
remaining years; under her leadership, the staff and more than
11,000 volunteers of the organization initiated over 100
environmental and beautification projects in the community; in
addition to her efforts to create Art Center Waco, Miss Nellie's
Pretty Place, and Heritage Square, Mrs. Sturgis is credited with
transforming the once-overgrown banks of the Brazos into the
inviting community gathering place that is Indian Spring Park, and
this initiative is cited as a turning point in the redevelopment of
downtown Waco; and
WHEREAS, Her outstanding contributions to the beautification
of her community earned Mrs. Sturgis a Citation of Honor from the
Texas Society of Architects and the Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award
from Keep America Beautiful and she and her husband were recognized
with the naming of the Carroll and Frances Sturgis Fountain in front
of City Hall; even more important than winning her many
well-deserved honors, her work demonstrated that determination and
hard work can realize the wonders conceived by imagination; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to improving the world around her, Frances
Sturgis truly made a positive difference in the lives of her fellow
Waco residents; although this gracious and generous woman will be
deeply missed, the results of her leadership and vision will
continue to be enjoyed for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Frances Sturgis and
extend deepest sympathy to her children, Elinor Davis and her
husband, J. P., and Carroll W. Sturgis, Jr., and his wife, Lois; to
her grandchildren, Laura Sturgis Patterson and her husband, Joel,
Carroll W. Sturgis III, Diana Davis Smith and her husband, Tim, Fran
Sturgis Lucero and her husband, Horacio, John A. Davis, Danae
Sturgis, and Hunter Sturgis; to her nine great-grandchildren; to
her brother-in-law, J. Harry Jeanes; to her nephew, Sheridan
Cavitt; and to her other relatives and many 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Frances
Sturgis.