SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 8
In Memory
of
Curtistene Smith McCowan
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of DeSoto in mourning the loss of Mayor Curtistene Smith
McCowan, who died October 28, 2020, at the age of 72; and
WHEREAS, Curtistene McCowan was an exemplary citizen and a
dedicated civic leader, and her courage, fair-mindedness, and
commitment to public service had a far-reaching impact on the
fabric of life in DeSoto; and
WHEREAS, She and her beloved husband of 54 years, Leon R.
McCowan, were blessed with two sons, Danny Sebastian McCowan and
Leon Curtis McCowan; her grandchildren, Tiana, Kirsten, and
Taylor, were a source of much pride and joy for her; and
WHEREAS, Curtistene enjoyed a fulfilling career of more
than three decades with the Federal Trade Commission; her service
included 18 years as a senior investigator, and she retired from
federal service on January 1, 2005; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, she became the first African American
elected to public office in DeSoto when she won a seat on the
DeSoto Independent School District Board of Trustees; she served
for six years and was the board's president for two years; she
also served on numerous committees and panels for the Texas
Association of School Boards and the Texas Education Agency; and
WHEREAS, She was a founder of Concerned DeSoto Citizens, a
nonprofit community service organization, and she held
leadership positions in numerous organizations, including the
Texas Southern University Board of Regents, the DeSoto Economic
Development Corporation, the North Central Texas Council of
Governments, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, the African
American Education Archives and History Program, and Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, she was elected to the DeSoto City
Council, and she served as mayor pro tempore from 2014 until
2016, when she was elected mayor of DeSoto; in recognition of her
many years of service to the community and her untiring advocacy
for education, the Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School was named
in her honor; and
WHEREAS, A devout Christian who practiced her faith in her
daily life, she was a longtime member of Kirkwood Temple
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, where she served as chair
of the Trustee Board; and
WHEREAS, She was a woman of grace, compassion, and
perseverance, and she gave unselfishly to others; her wise
counsel, her generous spirit, and her dedication to serving her
community will not be forgotten by those who were privileged to
know her and to share in her life; and
WHEREAS, A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and a
beloved community leader, she leaves behind memories that will be
cherished forever by her family and her countless friends; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere
condolences to the bereaved family of Curtistene Smith McCowan;
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 Curtistene McCowan.
West
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on July 22, 2021, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate