H.R. No. 2300
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed
cause for celebration, and Oleta Smith of Dumas is marking this
momentous milestone in her life on June 20, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Born to Edwin and Elizabeth Thornton in 1917, on a
farm outside of Lockney, the former Oleta Thornton graduated from
high school in 1935 and married her sweetheart, Ben Smith, the
following year; they became the proud parents of a daughter,
Dorotha Evylena, and a son, James Warren; and
WHEREAS, The Smiths farmed in Floyd County before acquiring a
gasoline distributorship in Hart; during Mr. Smith's career in the
petroleum industry, they lived in a number of different Texas
communities, including Dumas and Texas City, as well as in New
Mexico and Utah; the couple shared a fulfilling relationship of
more than 51 years before Mr. Smith's passing; and
WHEREAS, Sustained by a deep faith, Mrs. Smith served as a
church secretary and Sunday school teacher; she also sang in the
choir and gave generously of her time and talents to many women's
mission groups; a charter member of the Utah Idaho Southern Baptist
Convention, she was a state officer of the WMU organization; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith is thought to be the oldest Gold Star
Mother in Texas; in honor of her son, who was killed in action
during the Vietnam War, she represented the families of the fallen
at both the groundbreaking for the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans
Memorial and the monument's dedication; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to her family, Mrs. Smith enjoys spending
time with her daughter and son-in-law, Dick Waldren, her
grandchildren, Debra and David, and her great-grandchildren, Ben
and Hadley; she was recently honored as the oldest volunteer at the
Moore County Hospital District gift shop, and in her free time, she
enjoys reading, playing cards and dominoes, and watching the Texas
Rangers and Dallas Cowboys on television; and
WHEREAS, Oleta Smith has met life's challenges with
resilience and determination, and she is a source of tremendous
inspiration to all who are fortunate enough to know her; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Oleta Smith on the joyous occasion
of her 100th birthday and recognize her as a Texas Treasure; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Smith as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2300 was adopted by the House on May
25, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House