H.R. No. 384
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close when the Honorable Norma Jean LaGrone Heaton of Gary passed
away on March 12, 2014, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Born in the community of Deadwood on January 27,
1934, the daughter of A. W. LaGrone and Inez Wilburn LaGrone, Jean
LaGrone grew up in Panola County and graduated from Carthage High
School in 1952; she married William Joe "Jay" Heaton in 1966, and
the couple became the proud parents of a son, James Moss;
Mrs. Heaton and her husband shared 44 loving years together until
his passing in May 2010; and
WHEREAS, Jean Heaton was a highly regarded public servant,
one who worked tirelessly in behalf of her community; she served on
the Gary City Council from 1991 to 1995, and in 1996, she was
elected to the office of mayor, a position she held for the rest of
her life; Mrs. Heaton was also keenly interested in education; she
served on the board of the Gary Independent School District, and
even in her later years, she made time to help in the school
cafeteria, where she took delight in her interactions with
students; and
WHEREAS, In addition to forging a notable career in public
service, Mayor Heaton worked a number of years for Southwestern
Electric Power Company, and she was later employed by the First
National Bank in Carthage and by the Gary ISD; she attended Eastside
Baptist Church in Gary, where she was a valued member of the
congregation; and
WHEREAS, A dynamic and civic-minded Texan, Jean Heaton lived
a caring and purposeful life, and she will forever be remembered
with deep affection by all who had the good fortune to know her;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Norma
Jean LaGrone Heaton and extend deepest sympathy to the members of
her family: to her siblings, Allyne Cassity, Bernice Croix and her
husband, Al, and Mack LaGrone and his wife, Charlotte; to her
numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; 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 Norma Jean
LaGrone Heaton.
Paddie
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 384 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on February 19, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House