84R18631 BPG-D
By: Simpson H.R. No. 1741
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the
passing of Mamie Strieber Shepperd of Gladewater on January 9,
2015, at the age of 97; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong Texan, the former Mamie Erna Strieber was
born in Yorktown on December 30, 1917, to Louis and Mamie Strieber;
she graduated as valedictorian of her class, and after attending
Our Lady of the Lake College, she transferred to The University of
Texas at Austin; while completing her bachelor's degree in
journalism, she met the love of her life, John Ben Shepperd, and
they married on October 6, 1938; and
WHEREAS, The couple settled in Gladewater, Mr. Shepperd's
hometown, until his appointment as Texas secretary of state in 1950
prompted their relocation to Austin; he was subsequently elected
state attorney general, and Mrs. Shepperd provided valuable
support for his endeavors while devoting herself to their four
children, John Ben, Marianne, Alfred, and Suzanne; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, the family moved to Odessa, and
Mrs. Shepperd became very engaged in politics, taking local and
state leadership roles in the Democratic Party; she was chair of the
Ladies for Lyndon West Texas committee during Lyndon Johnson's 1964
presidential campaign, and she accompanied Lady Bird Johnson on a
whistle-stop tour through eight southern states; moreover, she
joined forces with her husband to help establish The University of
Texas at Permian Basin and modernize the Texas Historical
Commission, and she gave generously of her time and talents to a
host of civic endeavors; she founded the Odessa Friendship
Investment Club, a women's group, and became a savvy investor; and
WHEREAS, The Shepperds spent much of their time on the family
ranch in Gladewater, and Mrs. Shepperd oversaw the restoration of
historic buildings on the property; following the death of her
husband in 1990, she made her home there, and she was a dedicated
steward of the land; she planted many acres of pine trees, and,
undaunted by the wildfires of 2011, she duly reforested the charred
ground; she was a member of the Gladewater Historical Museum and the
Lee Public Library, and she loved to read, play bridge, and follow
the stock market; and
WHEREAS, While the death of Mamie Shepperd brings great
sadness to her family and friends, she leaves behind a legacy that
will forever be treasured by all those who held her dear; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Mamie Strieber
Shepperd and extend sincere condolences to the members of her
family: to her children, Alfred Shepperd and his wife, Honey, and
Suzanne McIntosh and her husband, Gary; to her grandchildren, John
Shepperd, Kathryn Shepperd Martinez and her husband, Jake, Tina
Stansbury and her husband, Dan, Mari Parker and her husband, Scott,
Lara Frankovitch and her husband, Joe, Clint McCarver and his wife,
Ginna, Anne Hicks, Clint Morse and his wife, Diana, and Stephen
Morse and his wife, Grace; to her 20 great-grandchildren; and to her
many 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 Mamie
Strieber Shepperd.