82R24912 JEN-D
By: Hopson H.R. No. 1657
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Countless lives were touched by the kindness and
generosity of Lafonda Ann Davis of Austin, who passed away on May 4,
2010, at the age of 68; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Uriel Addison Randolph and Vannie
Lee Culpepper, the former Lafonda Randolph was born in Bowie on
April 16, 1942, and grew up in neighboring Montague; she attended
public schools in Saint Jo, Nocona, Sherman, and Bowie and received
special instruction in horticulture from her father, a researcher
at Texas A&M University, who instilled in her a lifelong love of
plants and gardening; her education continued at North Texas State
University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary
education and a master's degree in education; and
WHEREAS, This dedicated teacher worked in a number of schools
around the world following her marriage to Carl David Clark, a
member of the United States Air Force, in 1962; they raised three
children and eventually settled in Fairfax, Virginia, where she was
highly respected for her skill in the classroom and gave freely of
her time and talents as a mentor to her students and a volunteer in
professional associations; after Mr. Clark's death in 1996, she was
fortunate to find love a second time with Jim Davis, and they were
married in 1998; the couple moved to Austin in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to her extended family, Mrs. Davis provided
steadfast support and encouragement to 7 children and 10
grandchildren; she made every holiday and event a very special
occasion and especially delighted in the warmth and fellowship of
Christmas; a woman of great faith, she expressed her beliefs in song
as a member of several ensembles, among them the Sweet Spirit
Singers, and recordings she made with that group enabled her lovely
voice to be heard at her own funeral; and
WHEREAS, Lafonda Davis inspired many people with her grace,
strength, and resilience, and those who were privileged to share in
her love and affection will forever cherish their memories of time
spent in her company; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Lafonda Ann Davis and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
husband, Jim Davis; to her children, Jeffrey David Clark, Shannon
Lee Gatlin and her husband, Jim, Tamara Ann Egli and her husband,
Dave, Angelia Kay Hennessey and her husband, Mike, Michele Ann
Hitti and her husband, William, Chad Allen Davis, and Eric Lynn
Davis; to her grandchildren, Hayden, Wyatt, Olivia, Gregory, Leah,
Megan, Shanna, Rory, Michael, and Tony; to her sister, Virginia Lee
Pollard, and her husband, Rex; 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Lafonda
Davis.