H.R. No. 118
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family, friends, and colleagues are mourning the
loss of Sharon Renae Watson Sternes of DeSoto, who passed away on
January 7, 2011, at the age of 48; and
WHEREAS, Born on April 13, 1962, Sharon Watson was the second
child of Rainey Morris Watson and Lucy Nelle Scott-Watson; she
attended public schools in Lorenzo and then enrolled at Texas Tech
University, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in political
science, and she went on to earn a master's degree in family studies
from Texas Woman's University; and
WHEREAS, After completing her undergraduate studies, Ms.
Sternes married the love of her life, Kenneth Ray Sternes, and the
couple shared a rewarding partnership until his passing; their
union was blessed with two treasured sons, Rainey Alan and Ryan
Jewel; and
WHEREAS, An individual who understood the value of education,
Ms. Sternes was a member of the DeSoto school board for nine years,
most recently distinguishing herself as president after previously
holding the offices of vice president and secretary; she also
served the youth of her area as an administrator and program
specialist for the Office of Head Start in Dallas, and she was a
lifetime member of the PTA and belonged to the Texas Caucus of Black
School Board Members; and
WHEREAS, This respected community leader was involved in the
Society of Government Meeting Professionals and Concerned DeSoto
Citizens, and both organizations honored her with their President's
Award and other recognitions; moreover, she was an active member of
the Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas and took
part in charitable endeavors such as the Sisterhood Helping Hands
group; and
WHEREAS, Known for her no-nonsense but fun-loving approach to
the world, Sharon Sternes made a positive and lasting difference in
her community, and her legacy of achievement will live on in the
hearts of the countless people touched by her good works; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Sharon Renae Watson
Sternes and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to
her sons, Rainey Alan Sternes and Ryan Jewel Sternes; to her
goddaughter, Erin Bell; to her sister, Cynthia Watson-Banks and her
husband, Gregory; to her brothers, Randy A. Watson and Russell D.
Watson; to her godsister, Magic Ford Langston; to her
mother-in-law, Raythetta B. Sternes; to her godmother, Nelda
Jackson; to her aunts, Rosie Lee Wall, Lenora B. Scott Long, and
Frankie Lawson; to her uncles, Robert Watson, Sr., and Charlie
Baker and his wife, Mary; to her brother-in-law, Julius B. Sternes;
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 Sharon
Renae Watson Sternes.
Davis of Dallas
Giddings
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 118 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on January 13, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House