H.R. No. 863
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Citizens of Italy, Texas, are mourning the loss of
longtime resident and beloved restaurateur Doris Jane Holley
Mitchell, who passed away on March 1, 2017, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, One of 13 children in her family, the former Doris
Holley was born to Floyd and Mary Holley on September 28, 1939, in
Grandview; she started her career working at Oma's Jiffy Burger in
Waxahachie and went on to open Uptown Café in Italy, which she owned
and operated for more than a quarter century; and
WHEREAS, Ranked among Texas Monthly's "40 Best Small Town
Cafes" in 2008, this popular eatery was famous for its homemade
hamburgers and fries as well as its catfish, chicken-fried steak,
and fresh-baked pies; Ms. Mitchell treated her customers like
family, delivering daily meals to homebound regulars and sponsoring
holiday potlucks to ensure that no one had to spend the day alone;
known affectionately as "Nana," she had a special place in her heart
for the young people in her community and covered the walls of her
restaurant with their pictures, along with memorabilia from the
Italy High School Gladiators and Lady Gladiators; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Mitchell shared a rewarding marriage with her
husband, Champ, until his passing, and she was a devoted mother to
her six children, Steve, Brenda, Suzy, Laurie, Sandy, and Ray Don;
as time went by, she had the pleasure of welcoming numerous
grandchildren and great-grandchildren into her family; and
WHEREAS, Doris Mitchell touched countless lives with her
delicious food, her wit and wisdom, and her engaging smile, and all
those who were fortunate enough to know her will forever hold her
close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Doris Jane Holley
Mitchell and extend sincere condolences to the members of her
family and to her 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 Doris
Mitchell.
Wray
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 863 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 23, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House