SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4
In Memory
of
Willie Jean Birmingham
WHEREAS, The Marshall community lost a beloved educator,
trailblazing civic leader, and friend to many with the passing of
former city commissioner Willie Jean Birmingham on October 23,
2022, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, Born to Willie and Edna Perry in Coldspring on
January 3, 1929, the former Jean Perry grew up with five
siblings, Douglass, Dolphus, Altha, Mervin, and Ervin; she began
her education at the age of three in a one-room school built after
Emancipation; because there was no local high school for Black
children, she attended Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston,
graduating as valedictorian at the age of 15; she went on to
graduate magna cum laude from Prairie View A&M University; and
WHEREAS, She wed her college sweetheart, Edwin Locke, and
they became the parents of a son, Gene; tragically widowed at 18,
she soldiered on, beginning her teaching career in Goodrich and
earning her master's degree at Prairie View; she was fortunate to
find love a second time with Roy Marshall, and their marriage was
blessed with a daughter, Rhonda; in 1952, they settled in
Marshall, where she began teaching business at Pemberton High
School; she transferred to the newly desegregated Marshall High
School in 1970; over the course of four decades, she gave
countless students the confidence to reach their full potential
and mentored many younger educators; and
WHEREAS, With her marriage to Samuel Birmingham, she
gained two more daughters, Janice and Cheryl; the couple owned
Birmingham's Barbecue and Birmingham's Department Store, and
they were very active in the business community; after assisting
her husband in his successful campaigns to become Marshall's
first Black city commissioner and first Black mayor,
Mrs. Birmingham became the first Black woman elected to the city
commission; she represented District 1 with skill and dedication
for 14 years, working tirelessly in behalf of her fellow
citizens; her sweet nature and warm smile endeared her to all,
and her contributions fostered an atmosphere of positive change,
helping to bridge divides in the community; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Mrs. Birmingham served in
numerous leadership roles, including president of the Harrison
County Historical Museum board and member of the State Commission
on Judicial Conduct and the Harrison County Historical
Commission; she was instrumental in securing Marshall's
designation as an All-America City and gave generously of her
time and talents to such organizations as the Marshall NAACP,
Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, and League of Women Voters; among numerous accolades,
she received the East Texas Baptist University Sam B. Hall Jr.
Civic Service Award and the Harrison County Historical
Commission Award of Merit; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Birmingham was a treasured member of Galilee
Missionary Baptist Church; she served as Sunday school
superintendent, and fellow congregants often went to her for wise
advice; in her last years, when health concerns prompted a move
to Houston, she joined her son and his wife at Wheeler Avenue
Baptist Church; she loved taking part in Bible study and attended
virtual services faithfully during the pandemic; above all, she
was devoted to her family, which grew to include 11
grandchildren, who called her "Precious," and many
great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, The life of Jean Birmingham stands as an inspiring
example of joyful service to others, and she will always be
remembered with deep admiration and great affection by all who
were fortunate enough to know her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Willie Jean
Birmingham 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 Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Jean Birmingham.
Hughes
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 10, 2023, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate