Bill Text: TX HR656 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Joyce Mae Bright Swearingen of Nacogdoches.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-03-30 - Reported enrolled [HR656 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR656-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 656 | ||
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| WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the | ||
| passing of Joyce Mae Bright Swearingen of Nacogdoches on | ||
| December 25, 2022, at the age of 98; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The daughter of George Novel and Dovie Mae Bright, | ||
| the former Joyce Bright was born in Nacogdoches on February 4, 1924, | ||
| and she grew up with the companionship of two brothers, N. G. and | ||
| Charles; she attended Nacogdoches High School, and in 1943, she | ||
| graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, where she met | ||
| the love of her life, James Douglas Swearingen; the couple | ||
| exchanged wedding vows on January 10, 1946, one month after he | ||
| returned home from World War II, and they went on to share nearly | ||
| seven decades of marriage before his passing in 2012; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In the late 1940s, Mrs. Swearingen embarked on a | ||
| long and rewarding career managing Swearingen Office Equipment and | ||
| Nacogdoches Credit Bureau alongside her husband; following the sale | ||
| of the credit bureau in 1969, she began working at the Fredonia | ||
| State Bank and would eventually retire as vice president, the first | ||
| woman in the bank's history to hold the position; active in her | ||
| professional community, she joined the East Texas Group of the | ||
| National Association of Bank Women and was later inducted into the | ||
| association's hall of fame for her work in finance; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A pillar of the Nacogdoches community, | ||
| Mrs. Swearingen gave generously of her time and talents to a number | ||
| of clubs and civic organizations throughout her life, including | ||
| United Way, the newcomer service club, the Fredonia Ladies and | ||
| Gents Travel Club, the SFA Foundation, and the Nacogdoches County | ||
| Chamber of Commerce, which she served as the first female | ||
| president; she was also the founding chairwoman of the Nacogdoches | ||
| Heritage Festival; a woman of faith, she was an active congregant of | ||
| First Christian Church; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mrs. Swearingen was the devoted mother of 4 | ||
| children, Sandra Lou, James Douglas, John Novel, and Janet Kay, and | ||
| with the passing years, she had the pleasure of seeing her family | ||
| grow to include 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; in her | ||
| leisure time, she loved to cook and entertain; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Joyce Swearingen 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 House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Joyce Mae Bright | ||
| Swearingen 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 House of | ||
| Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joyce | ||
| Swearingen. | ||
| Clardy | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 656 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
| rising vote of the House on March 30, 2023. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
