SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 747 In Memory of Judith Blanton Wilkerson WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Judith Blanton Wilkerson, who died April 26, 2019, at the age of 89; and WHEREAS, Judy Blanton was born on April 5, 1930, in Temple, to Katherine and Melvin Blanton; she attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she met the love of her life, the late William Wilkerson; they were married for nearly 65 years and were blessed with three children, David Wilkerson, Katie Wilkerson Carnes, and Noel Wilkerson Holmes; her four grandchildren and her great-granddaughter were a source of much pride and joy for her; and WHEREAS, Judy enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a journalist; she and her husband were involved in publishing the Comanche Chief and owned the De Leon Free Press before acquiring the Pleasanton Express, which won hundreds of awards in the time they owned it; she was known as a principled journalist who gave voice to women and minorities, and she was also active in a number of professional and community organizations, notably the South Texas Press Association and the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce; and WHEREAS, She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and she was a dynamic leader in the Pleasanton community, and later, in the Austin community; she was known for her unwavering commitment to helping the less fortunate, and she leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by her family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Judith Blanton Wilkerson; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judy Wilkerson. Zaffirini, Flores, Watson ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 15, 2019, by a rising vote. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate