82R23656 JBA-D
By: Schwertner H.R. No. 1587
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Marilyn Stiles Shoemaker of Austin passed away on
April 9, 2011, leaving her circle of family and friends to cherish
their many happy memories of time spent in her company; and
WHEREAS, Born in Austin on June 23, 1956, Ms. Shoemaker
graduated from Lanier High School, where she was a member of the
Vikettes dance team; she earned her bachelor's degree and teaching
certificate from Southwest Texas State University; excelling in the
performing arts, she shared her gift with countless students in her
work as an educator in Central Texas, teaching dance, drill team,
and music as well as first-grade classes; she was the director of
the Georgetown High School Georgettes for 17 years; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated member of Crestview Baptist Church, Ms.
Shoemaker directed the children's choir, taught at Camp Crestview,
and sang and played the handbells in the adult choir; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Shoemaker faced some very daunting challenges
after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999; the disease
nearly took her several times, but she battled back repeatedly;
despite the difficulties she faced, she committed herself to
helping others, and her efforts included developing her own line of
greeting cards specifically for cancer patients; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Ms. Shoemaker lost her mother, Lillian
Stiles, when she was mauled by a pack of dogs that were owned by a
neighbor; even while undergoing chemotherapy, Ms. Shoemaker spent
many hours at the State Capitol, working with elected officials to
craft legislation that provides stiffer penalties for owners of
violent dogs; it was passed in May 2007 and is known as Lillian's
Law in honor of her mother; and
WHEREAS, This courageous woman demonstrated similar strength
until her final days; determined to be present at the marriage of
her son David, she persevered and saw that wish fulfilled when the
ceremony took place at her bedside just hours before her passing;
and
WHEREAS, While the life of Marilyn Shoemaker ended far too
soon, she will always be remembered with great admiration and
affection by all who knew and loved her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Marilyn Stiles
Shoemaker and extend sincere condolences to her loved ones: to her
husband, Bill Shoemaker; to her children, Brook Hampton, David
Hampton and his wife, Crystal, Amanda Shoemaker, and Shawn
Shoemaker and his wife, Kyndal; to her grandchildren, Dayson and
Denton Williams; to her sister, Jackie Williams; to her brother,
Mark Stiles, and his wife, Cheryl; and to her many other friends,
relatives, and former students; 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 Marilyn
Stiles Shoemaker.