H.R. No. 2235
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Baylor University community was deeply saddened
by the passing of Mary Wilson Russell McCall on November 13, 2014,
at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Born in Chillicothe on October 7, 1919, the former
Mary Wilson was the daughter of Dora and Quincy Wilson; she
graduated from Vernon High School and enrolled in Baylor University
at the age of 16; following her marriage to Lloyd Russell, she
completed her bachelor's degree at North Texas State University,
and she taught at that institution during World War II while her
husband served in the U.S. Navy; Dr. Russell subsequently became a
department chair at Baylor and the couple returned to Waco; and
WHEREAS, She was employed as a teacher and counselor in Waco
public schools and earned her master's degree from Baylor; after
the untimely death of Dr. Russell in 1968, she was fortunate enough
to find love a second time with Dr. Abner McCall, the president and
chancellor of Baylor; they married on Christmas Day in 1970, and she
fully embraced the role of first lady of the institution; and
WHEREAS, Committed to expanding access to higher education,
Mrs. McCall served as president of the Baylor Round Table and led
the creation of its scholarship fund; she was instrumental in the
establishment of the Lloyd O. Russell Memorial Scholarship Fund and
the Abner V. and Mary McCall Scholarship Fund; in addition, she was
a charter member of the President's Club and the Endowed
Scholarship Society, and she was co-president of the Heritage Club;
also benefiting her sorority, she served as an advisor to the Kappa
Kappa Gamma chapter; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McCall designed and supervised the building of
the president's home, and she was chair of the wives' organization
of the Southern Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities;
she enjoyed getting to know the other presidents and their spouses,
but she took the greatest pleasure in making Baylor a warm and
welcoming place; over the years, she helped students cook dinners
to impress their girlfriends, located elusive homecoming game
tickets for their dates, and graciously opened her home to hundreds
of people; and
WHEREAS, The university recognized Mrs. McCall with one of
its highest honors, the Founders Award, and she received the W. R.
White Meritorious Service Award from the Baylor University Alumni
Association; she was named a Yellow Rose of Texas by then-governor
George W. Bush, and her two daughters, Linda Letbetter and Nancy
Chapman, donated the Mary McCall Chapel of the Baylor Panhellenic
Building in her honor; and
WHEREAS, Benefiting the wider community as well, Mrs. McCall
was a member of the Historic Waco Foundation, the Brazos Forum, the
Thursday Study Club, and the Waco Literary Club; moreover, she was a
trustee of the First Baptist Church of Waco, and she taught Sunday
school, took part in missions, and delivered Meals on Wheels; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Dr. McCall died, and eight years later,
Mrs. McCall moved to the Edgemere Retirement Community in Dallas;
she served on its board, and she joined Park Cities Baptist Church
and served as president of both her Sunday school class and the
Variety Book Club; she was also a sustaining member of the Baylor
University Women's Council of Dallas, which recognized her with its
Woman of Distinction Award, and she belonged to the Ermance Book
Club of Dallas; and
WHEREAS, Mary McCall made a lasting, positive impact on
Baylor University through her vision, leadership, and dedication,
and although she is profoundly missed by her loved ones, she left a
legacy that they can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mary Wilson Russell
McCall and extend sincere condolences to her family 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 Mary
McCall.
Anderson of McLennan
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2235 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 21, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House