By: Hughes S.R. No. 90
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their
memories of Jerry and Joyce Houston of Tyler, who passed away on
September 16, 2021; and
WHEREAS, The son of John Bradford Houston and Jewell
Juanita Houston, Jerry Franklin Houston was born in Chandler on
May 22, 1929; the former Joyce Laverne Hobbs was born to Julius D.
Hobbs and Ida Bell Leavels in Ben Wheeler on August 17, 1930; they
both attended Chandler High School, and when she asked him if she
could catch a ride on his bicycle during the lunch hour, romance
bloomed; the couple married on October 8, 1948, and they became
the proud parents of two children, Garry and Janet; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Houston served his country in the U.S. Navy
from 1952 to 1954; after attending Henderson County Junior
College, he earned his master's degree in education from Texas
A&M University-Commerce; he spent the first 24 years of his
career at Harmony High School in Upshur County, where he was a
teacher, coach, and principal; subsequently, he joined the
Brownsboro Independent School District and worked for eight
years as athletic director and for 15 years as principal of
Chandler Elementary School; Mrs. Houston was employed by
Brownsboro Junior High School as a secretary for 21 years; and
WHEREAS, Following their retirement, the Houstons
remained active in their community; they were valued members of
Rock Hill Baptist Church, and Mr. Houston served as a deacon, a
role he held for a total of 60 years at the churches they
attended; in his leisure time, he loved to go fishing, and
Mrs. Houston enjoyed cooking and tending to her flowers; they
both adored watching the athletic events of their grandchildren,
Joanna, Swaide, Lexie Jo, Matthew, and Timothy; eventually,
their treasured family grew to include four great-grandchildren,
Greyson, Hadley, Adam, and Nathan; and
WHEREAS, The life shared by Jerry and Joyce Houston was
centered around their loved ones, their faith, and their
community, and they will forever be remembered with admiration
and affection by all who were fortunate enough to know them; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 87th Texas Legislature,
3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the lives of Jerry
Franklin Houston and Joyce Laverne Houston and extend sincere
condolences to all who mourn their passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for their family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Jerry and Joyce Houston.