In memory of Edna Belle Pemberton of Dallas.

89(R) SR 457 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

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