88R4700 AMB-D
By: Hughes S.R. No. 4
R E S O L U T I O N
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 88th Texas 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.