H.R. No. 145
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Corpus Christi lost an admired civic
leader with the passing of Lena D. Wilson on September 8, 2021, at
the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Dovie Sutton and Albert Satterwhite,
the former Lena Delores Satterwhite was born in Gonzales County on
August 31, 1930; she grew up in Seguin and demonstrated a strong
work ethic as a young girl, bussing tables at a hotel café and
holding down a job at a dry cleaners; after graduating from
Lincoln-Ball High School in 1949, she completed nursing school, but
she left that field to earn a master's degree in business; she owned
a popular restaurant and music venue before focusing her career on
social services; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, she moved to Corpus Christi, where she
established herself as an entrepreneur, owning such businesses as
the Unity Chapel Funeral Home; she married Frank Alfred Wilson and
devoted herself to their treasured family, including twin daughters
Lana and Dana and son Al; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Wilson became executive director of HIALCO, a
community service agency, and then director of mental retardation
vocational services for the Nueces County MHMR Community Center; a
pioneer in vocational education, she was also instrumental in the
establishment of two residential homes for people with
disabilities, Elliott Grant Homes and Jefferine Lytle Estates; she
eventually launched her own company, Lena's Business Management and
Consultants, as well as the nonprofit LC Foundation, which helps
individuals with disabilities find permanent jobs; its initiatives
have further included creation of the Lena Coleman-Wilson Hope
Scholarship at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, holiday
donations to children, and contributions to a local group
alleviating hunger; deeply committed to education, Mrs. Wilson
also funded the Lena D. Wilson Visionary Legacy Scholarship at
Lincoln-Ball High School; she was a member of the League of Women
Voters and president emeritus of the H. Boyd Hall branch of the
NAACP, and she held leadership roles with such organizations as the
United Way and the local chamber of commerce; and
WHEREAS, A woman of faith, Mrs. Wilson attended church
services regularly; she eventually retired to Schertz, closer to
her home congregation, New St. James Baptist Church in Seguin; and
WHEREAS, Lena Wilson gave freely of her time, resources, and
expertise to better her community, and her contributions will be
remembered and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Lena D. Wilson and extend sincere sympathy 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 House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Lena D.
Wilson.
Herrero
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 145 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on October 18, 2021.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House