SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 106
In Memory
of
Dionne Phillips Bagsby
WHEREAS, Tarrant County lost a trailblazing public servant
with the death of former county commissioner Dionne Phillips
Bagsby on January 10, 2019, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Paul William Phillips and Ann
Wicks Phillips, the former Dionne Phillips was born in Phoenix,
Illinois; she graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University and
went on to earn speech pathology certification from George
Peabody College for Teachers and a master's degree from Texas
Christian University; following her marriage to James A. Bagsby,
she became the mother of two treasured children, Dionne and
James, and with the passing years, her life was further enriched
by her four grandchildren, Kirbe, Kelli, Josiah, and Elijah, and
five step-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bagsby joined the Fort Worth Independent
School District as a speech pathologist in the late 1960s, and
she played a key role in the peaceful integration of the
district; engaged in the broader community, she impressed other
activists with her tremendous skill and dedication, and they
urged her to run for office; she won election in 1988 as the
county's first female and first African American commissioner
and became the only African American woman to serve in that
office across the entire state; during her 16 years in that post,
she strove tirelessly to make government more inclusive, guiding
the appointment of women and minorities to county boards and
commissions and improving diversity in the workforce; she was a
tireless advocate for the most vulnerable members of society,
especially women and children, and through her leadership, the
county increased resources for education and women's shelters;
moreover, it decentralized hospital services to expand access to
health care, and it implemented a countywide immunization
program; and
WHEREAS, After leaving government, Ms. Bagsby remained
very active in the community; she served on numerous boards over
the years, sharing her expertise with such organizations as the
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the United Way of Tarrant County,
Jubilee Theater, and Baylor Scott and White All Saints Medical
Center; in addition, she was a regent of Stephen F. Austin State
University and Texas College; her myriad accolades included the
2018 High Impact Legacy Award from the Fort Worth Chamber of
Commerce, and both the county and the City of Crowley named
public buildings in her honor; Ms. Bagsby, however, never sought
credit for her accomplishments, and she advised the many people
she mentored to focus on results rather than acclaim; a popular
source of wise counsel, she could be relied upon to offer the
unvarnished truth, as well as kind encouragement; and
WHEREAS, Dionne Phillips Bagsby set an inspiring example
of selfless devotion to the greater good, and although she will
be deeply missed, her contributions will continue to resonate
powerfully in the years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Dionne Phillips
Bagsby and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn her
passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Dionne Phillips Bagsby.
Powell, Birdwell,
Hancock, Nelson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 1, 2019, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate