H.R. No. 2024 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Marjorie Banks Ammons of Houston passed away on April 16, 2011, at the age of 87, leaving her circle of family and friends to cherish their many happy memories of time spent in her company; and WHEREAS, Born in Houston on July 27, 1923, to Clifton and Lillie Belle Banks, the former Marjorie Ailene Banks attended Gregory Elementary School and Phillis Wheatley High School, from which she graduated in 1940; she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics from Prairie View College in 1944 and studied early childhood education at Iowa State University; afterward, she returned to Houston to begin teaching with the early childhood development program at Hester House in the Fifth Ward; and WHEREAS, In 1948, Mrs. Ammons joined the Houston Independent School District as a teacher with Grant Park Elementary; during her career she also served on the staff at Dogan, Burrus, Rhoads, and Law Elementary, and she was one of the first teachers in Houston to work with the Head Start program; she remained with HISD until her retirement in 1984; and WHEREAS, Devoted to her faith, Mrs. Ammons was a valued member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she had worshipped since she was a child; she was active in her community and volunteered with a number of clubs and organizations, including the Phillis Wheatley Alumni Golden Nuggets, the Prairie View College Alumni Class of 1944, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jack and Jill of America, the Blue Triangle Garden Club, the Harris County Retired Teachers Association, and the Winsomnette Social Club; and WHEREAS, Marjorie Banks exchanged wedding vows with Benjamin Ammons on April 23, 1948, and they shared a rewarding marriage that spanned 63 years; the couple became the proud parents of two sons, Clifton and Benjamin; and WHEREAS, Known for her warm smile and loving spirit, Marjorie Ammons lived a rich and purposeful life, and those who were privileged to share in her love and friendship will forever hold her close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Marjorie Banks Ammons and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her husband, Benjamin Ammons; to her sons, Clifton Ammons and Benjamin Ammons II; to her grandson, Clifton Ammons III; to her stepdaughter, Sheila Gautreaux; to her step-grandchildren, Stephen Fleming, Sian Thioune, and Shawn Brown; to her step-great-grandchildren, Keiphen Fleming, Joseph Fleming, Mamadou Thioune, and Shelby Brown; 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 Marjorie Ammons. Dutton ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2024 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 26, 2011. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House