[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 141 (Friday, November 2, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY OF LILLIAN ESTELLE CHRISTOPHER 
                                 MINGUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 2, 2012

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great joy that I recognize and 
celebrate the one hundredth birthday of Lillian Estelle Christopher 
Mingus of Irving, Texas. Lillian will reach the age of one hundred 
years on November 8 and will celebrate the occasion with a party on 
November 10.
  Lillian was born on November 8, 1912, to Frances Lozana ``Loza'' 
Barnett and Andrew Garrett ``Babe'' Christopher in Gentry's Mill, 
Texas. She was one of six children and the oldest daughter. As such, 
she helped her brothers with milking cows, feeding chickens, hoeing and 
picking cotton, and generally caring for the land and livestock. She 
graduated the 10th grade, the highest available at the time, from 
Duffau Community School in Duffau, Texas. On her 18th birthday, Lillian 
married the love of her life, Silvester Olen Mingus. Together they were 
farmers and ranchers for many years. At one point they also ran a cafe 
in Hamilton, Texas. Later on, Lillian was a careworker for children and 
the elderly. She also taught Sunday school in Odessa for fifteen years.
  During their 54 years of marriage, Lillian and Silvester had three 
children--Grady Mingus, C.O. Mingus, and Rosa Mingus Gordon. She also 
has 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great 
grandchildren. Today, Lillian loves to play bingo, keep up to date on 
the Boy Scouts, do arts and crafts, and shell blackeyed peas. She 
regularly attends Bible Study and is the oldest member of MacArthur 
Boulevard Baptist Church.
  The legacy of Lillian's life in Texas is a reflection of an 
adventurous family history. Her great-great-great grandparents, John 
and Elizabeth Allison, brought the family from Tennessee to Texas by 
covered wagon in 1834. John and his sons, including Lillian's great-
great grandfather James Allison, fought for Texas in its battles for 
independence from Mexico and the family was personal friends with Davy 
Crockett. James received a land grant for his military service and also 
bought land in Williamson County upon which he founded the settlement 
of Allison, which later became known as Friendship and is marked with a 
Friendship Community Historical Marker. Lillian has been accordingly 
awarded a Williamson County Pioneer Family Certificate. Generations 
later, during a period of her childhood in Hico, Texas, Lillian's 
homestead was paid a visit by the notorious duo, Bonnie and Clyde.
  Lillian is a woman with deep faith, a zest for life, and a love for 
meeting people with a friendly smile. When asked about her secret for 
living to be one hundred, she simply states that God is not finished 
with her yet or else she would be in home in heaven. Mr. Speaker, on 
behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my 
distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and one 
hundredth birthday of Lillian Estelle Christopher Mingus.

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