H.R. No. 330
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and
meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends
of Frances Gail Sears of Kerrville, who passed away on December 31,
2010, at the age of 75; and
WHEREAS, A native of San Antonio, Gail Sears was born on
November 12, 1935, to Frances and Hugh McWilliams; she graduated
from Tivy High School and majored in drama at The University of
Texas at Austin, where she met her husband, Michael Edwin Sears; the
couple shared 54 years together and were blessed with two
daughters, Kathy and Kari; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Sears was active in her children's education
and dedicated to improving life for area youth; in addition to
serving as president of the Notre Dame Catholic School Board, she
was a valued member of the PTA, and she volunteered to drive a bus so
that West Kerr County students could attend school in Kerrville;
she also helped to found the Community Service Council, a group that
teaches dance and drama to disadvantaged children, and served as a
liaison for the March of Dimes, driving her own car to transport
young patients and their parents to San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, Mrs. Sears began teaching an
exercise class for her friends at Holy Cross Lutheran Church;
discovering a passion for health and fitness, she went on to found
Gail's Aerobic Lifestyle, offering classes at the Municipal
Auditorium; she later opened her own storefront, the Center for
Fitness, or "Gail's Place," as it was known by many, which was
expanded to include another location in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Sears earned certifications from the Cooper
Institute, American Council on Exercise, and Ron Fletcher Program
of Study for Pilates; known for her expertise and enthusiasm, she
developed workout programs for employees at local businesses and
conducted seminars for area firefighters and law enforcement
officers; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, she was awarded a number of
accolades for her efforts to enrich her community, including the
titles of Woman of the Year from the Kerr County Women's Chamber of
Commerce and Hill Country Life Treasure from the Kerrville Daily
Times; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Sears treasured her faith and served the Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults as a lector, sponsor, and choir
member; she also shared her time with the Catholic Youth
Organization and Marriage Encounter, participated in liturgical
dance, and taught Sunday school; in her free time, she enjoyed
gardening and painting as well as making props, sewing costumes,
and acting in performances produced by the Hill Country Arts
Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Although the death of Gail Sears has brought great
sorrow to those who loved her, she demonstrated what a positive
difference one committed individual can make in the lives of
others, and she will long be remembered with deep admiration and
affection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Frances Gail Sears
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
husband, Eddie Sears; to her daughters, Kathy Hall and her husband,
Charles, and Kari Morrison and her husband, Robert; to her
grandsons, Townsend and Raleigh Morrison; to her sisters, Sandra
Hunt and her husband, Jim, and Karen Raymond; 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 Frances
Gail Sears.
Hilderbran
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 330 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on February 24, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House