88S40791 JRI-D
By: Hughes S.R. No. 42
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their memories
of Lou Ethel Gaw of Marshall, who passed away on July 16, 2023, at
the age of 94; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Ralph and Ida Ramey, the former Lou
Ramey was born in Gilmer on June 21, 1929; a standout student at
Gilmer High School, she was a member of several campus
organizations, and she graduated as valedictorian in 1946; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gaw went on to receive a bachelor's degree in
Latin and English from The University of Texas at Austin, and she
later earned a master's degree from East Texas State University;
following a year teaching high school in San Angelo, she took a job
at the R. G. LeTourneau company, where she met her future husband,
William "Bill" Gaw Jr.; the couple wed in 1953; and
WHEREAS, In 1963, Mr. and Mrs. Gaw moved from Longview to
Marshall, and Mrs. Gaw went on to serve as both a full-time and
substitute teacher; active in her community, she gave generously of
her time and talents to numerous organizations; in addition to her
dedication to the Marshall Rotary Club, she was a founding member of
the Republican Women of Harrison County in 1968, and she was
involved in a number of conservative political groups; she held
local and state positions in the Texas Federation of Republican
Women and the Republican Party of Texas and served on the Civic
Center Advisory Board, as well as the boards of the annual Marshall
Days at the Capitol, the local library, the Charter Commission, and
the Marshall Regional Arts Council; moreover, she brought a number
of high-ranking officials, including two U.S. presidents, to East
Texas to speak with local voters, and in 2000, she was chosen as the
Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Greater Marshall Chamber of
Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gaw shared a rewarding marriage with her
husband, who preceded her in death; they raised two children, Lee
and Kelly, and their treasured family grew to include their
grandchildren, Christopher, Halie, Michael, Ross, and Jay, as well
as their great-grandchildren, Ava and Tyler; a woman of faith,
Mrs. Gaw was a dedicated congregant of First Methodist Church; in
her leisure time, she enjoyed playing bridge; and
WHEREAS, Lou Gaw lived a life that was rich in family,
friends, and community service, and those who were privileged to
share in her love and affection will forever hold her close in their
hearts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature, 4th
Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Lou Ethel Gaw
and extend sincere condolences 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 Lou Gaw.