SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 817
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the members of the Williams-Livingston family on the
grand occasion of their family reunion, which is being held
June 5 through 7, 2015, in Kirvin; and
WHEREAS, Every year on the first Saturday in June, members
of the Williams-Livingston family hold a reunion to celebrate
their heritage and to commemorate the birth of Mamie Elizabeth
"Mama Mae" Williams; they invite friends from across Texas and
the United States and share their celebration of family love and
unity, religious roots, and community; and
WHEREAS, Family history reveals that the Charles Livingston
family moved from Virginia as freed slaves and arrived in the
Freestone County area in the early 1800s; the family settled in
the area known as Cotton Gin and sharecropped on various local
farms; and
WHEREAS, Caroline Livingston's family moved from Alabama
to Kirvin in Freestone County, arriving in covered wagons, on
foot, and on horseback; they settled on the Alfred Carter farm
and worked his land; and
WHEREAS, Caroline and Charles Livingston's children, Elbert
Jefferson, Fannie, Foster, Elizabeth, and Callie, supported their
community and were instrumental in establishing Woods Chapel
Primitive Baptist Church, which is still an active church today;
they also helped create a public school system for their children
and for the children from surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Williams-Livingston family who
host the annual reunion are the descendants of Caroline and
Charles Livingston's daughter Elizabeth Livingston; born July 2,
1866, she married Austin Williams, a freed slave from Tennessee,
and the couple had 10 children, one of whom was Mamie Elizabeth
"Mama Mae" Williams, who was born June 1, 1889; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of her long life, Mamie Elizabeth
"Mama Mae" Williams became the matriarch of the Williams-Livingston
family; she died in 1987 at the age of 98; one of her children,
Cathelyn Francis Dawson Butcher, carries on as her living legacy; and
WHEREAS, Other strong women who continue to fulfill the
traditional role of family matriarch are Ethelyn DeLon Washington
Oliver, Patricia Butcher Barton, Thelma Mae Butcher Johnson,
Evelyn Butcher Smith, Seri Butcher Nolan, Dianne Pelton Hooper,
and Ursla Howard; the patriarch of the family is Johnnie Franklin
Carter, with Charles Barton, Robert Powers, Larry Pelton, and
Gary Pelton sharing their wisdom and support; Joe Rogers, Kenneth
Payne, Joe Fletcher, David Hill, and Archie Pelton Jr. also
unselfishly serve the family; and
WHEREAS, The branch of the family extending from Mama Mae
has successfully worked to reconnect with other branches of the
family from across the state and nation, and today, more new
family members attend each reunion; and
WHEREAS, Williams-Livingston family members are successful
men and women who have contributed greatly to their communities
though their leadership, their professionalism and entrepreneurial
spirit, and their concern for others; they are exemplary citizens
who believe strongly in tradition and who instill in their
children the values of love, family, and hard work; and
WHEREAS, The annual Williams-Livingston reunion is the
manifestation of the family's belief in unity, loyalty, and pride
in one's heritage; and
WHEREAS, Each year a family member is selected as the recipient
of the Mamie Williams Humanitarian Award and recognized at the
reunion for unselfish commitment to the furtherance of the family's
core values; and
WHEREAS, Children and young people are also recognized at
the reunion for their academic and athletic accomplishments, and
the family also recognizes the wedding anniversaries, employment
anniversaries and honors, and births and deaths of family members;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby extend to the members of the Williams-Livingston
family best wishes for a joyous and memorable family reunion and
recognize June 6, 2015, as Williams-Livingston Day in this state;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the family as a memento of this special occasion.
West
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 15, 2015.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate