SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 457
In Memory
of
Edna Belle Pemberton
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Dallas in mourning the loss of Edna Belle Pemberton,
who died April 13, 2025, at the age of 81; and
WHEREAS, Edna was born in Chicago on March 27, 1944, as the
youngest of nine children; after losing her mother and growing up
in the foster care system from a young age, Edna was led to a life
of service, and she went on to commit much of her time, energy,
and talents as a tireless advocate for positive change, a voice
for her community, and a force for good; and
WHEREAS, Edna met the love of her life, the late DarNell
Pemberton, while attending church as a teenager in Chicago, and
they married on September 19, 1964; Edna and DarNell were blessed
with four daughters, and throughout more than four decades
together, they built a rewarding partnership founded on
boundless love and their dedication to serving their family and
community; they went on to adopt and help raise eight of her
nieces, nephews, and young relatives, and their family of 14
resided in California before relocating to Dallas and settling in
the Oak Cliff neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary citizen, Edna was respected for her
numerous accomplishments and for her work in addressing
inequities in southern Dallas; she began her career by working as
a stockroom employee at Kmart and advanced into management
positions, and she led various supply drives and community
initiatives through her role with the company; her positive
impact on the city and her fellow residents and neighbors
included her efforts to enact a youth curfew to improve safety
and crime, to extend bus lines for residents to access necessary
services, and to save and revitalize the Southwest Center Mall,
formerly the Red Bird Mall, in Dallas; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. P, as she was affectionately known to many,
was active in numerous local organizations, including the Dallas
Chapter NAACP, the Martin Luther King Center, and Camp Wisdom
Now; she was a founder of Positively Oak Cliff, a nonprofit
coalition of entrepreneurs and community leaders, and she served
as a voter registrar and precinct chair in her local precinct;
she was the recipient of numerous accolades, including several
Governors' awards for her contributions to her community, and she
was honored to serve as a torchbearer in Dallas ahead of the 1996
Olympic Games in Atlanta; and
WHEREAS, A role model of compassion and resilience, Edna
was a friend to all and a mother-figure and mentor to many; she
practiced her faith in her daily life, and she was an active and
longtime member and community leader of Concord Missionary
Baptist Church; her passion for helping others and her dedication
to her Oak Cliff community made a lasting difference in the lives
of innumerable people in their times of need and who were
experiencing such challenges as natural disasters and financial
struggles; and
WHEREAS, Although Edna found immense fulfillment in her
role as a community volunteer, advocate, and activist, above all,
she cherished spending quality time together with those closest
to her; her unflagging support and love for her family set a
shining example for her children, who have gone on to serve as
educators, community leaders, and volunteers; she was a devoted
mother and grandmother and a revered figure in the Dallas
community, and she leaves behind an extraordinary legacy and
countless memories that will be treasured forever by her many
loved ones and by all who were privileged to share in her life;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Edna Belle Pemberton; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Edna Pemberton.
West
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 28, 2025, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate