SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 877
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 annual family reunion, which is being
held June 2 and 3, 2017, 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 and family members from
across Texas, the United States, and Canada to 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 "Mama Lizzie," 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 "Mama Lizzie"
Livingston; born July 2, 1866, she married Austin "Pop Aus"
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
Williams became the matriarch of the Williams-Livingston family;
she died in 1987 at the age of 98; her only living child, Cathelyn
Francis Dawson Butcher, carries on her legacy and her love of
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 through 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 Williams-Livingston family reunion is a time
to share memories, to recognize family members who have reached
important milestones, and to honor new additions to the family
and those who passed away since the previous reunion; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby extend to the members of the
Williams-Livingston family best wishes for a joyous and
memorable family reunion and recognize June 3, 2017, 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
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 25, 2017.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate