82R25183 MGR-D
By: Anderson of McLennan H.R. No. 2201
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Jo Ann
Darden of Waco, who passed away on April 21, 2011, at the age of 78;
and
WHEREAS, Born on October 6, 1932, in Woodville to
Stephen B. Owens and Margaret Allie Owens, the former Jo Ann Owens
graduated from high school in Beaumont in 1949 and then attended
Lamar University, earning her degree in 1953; while in high school
and college, she was a member of the notable singing group the
Melody Maids, traveling to numerous military bases as well as New
York and Mexico City to perform and also taking part in the opening
ceremonies for the Shamrock Hotel in Houston; and
WHEREAS, She met the love of her life, Robert F. Darden, Jr.,
while in college, and the two were married in 1953, five days after
he received his United States Air Force commission; with her
husband, Mrs. Darden soon left for Schilling Air Force Base in
Kansas, and they spent a total of 58 years together while residing
in Alabama, California, Washington, Virginia, Japan, and Texas and
welcoming three children, Robert, Steven, and Danni; and
WHEREAS, A devoted homemaker and mother, Mrs. Darden loved to
cook for her family, who especially enjoyed her shrimp gumbo,
cornbread dressing, chicken enchiladas, and potato salad; she was a
skilled piano player with a remarkable ability to play a piece after
hearing it just once, and she also took pleasure in decorating,
gardening, and caring for her dogs; and
WHEREAS, This industrious Texan found time over the course of
her busy life to teach remedial math in public schools and work in
an elementary school library; after coming to Waco, she assisted
with student registration at Baylor University and served as a
dormitory mother at the school, became a part of the Waco Center for
Youth's public responsibility committee, and cooked for more than
two decades for the Seventh and James Baptist Church's Meals on
Wheels program; in addition, she was a member of the Philanthropic
Educational Organization, which supports education for women; and
WHEREAS, Strong in her faith, Mrs. Darden was a member of the
Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco and participated in the
Friendship Sunday school class; she sang with the Columbus Avenue
church's Singing Saints and also in the Baylor University Senior
Choir, and she hosted a women's weekly Bible study group; and
WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Jo Ann Darden
will long remember her for her joyful and compassionate spirit, and
although she will be greatly missed, her legacy will live on in the
hearts of the many people whose lives she touched; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Jo Ann Darden and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
husband, Robert F. Darden, Jr.; to her sons, Robert F. Darden III
and his wife, Mary, and Steven L. Darden and his wife, Ellen; to her
daughter, Danni L. Mayfield, and her husband, Dan; to her brother,
Brunson "Sonny" Owens; to her sister-in-law, Peggy Sue Brammer; to
her grandchildren; 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 Jo Ann
Darden.