[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 94 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE AMAZING AND REMARKABLE LIFE OF FRAZIER VONNE THOMAS SCURRY 
                           OF HOUSTON, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Frazier Vonne 
Thomas Scurry, a great American woman and one of the outstanding 
community leaders in the City of Houston. Her upcoming 100th birthday 
marks a century of living for this remarkable woman.
  Mrs. Scurry, lovingly and rightfully known as the matriarch of the 
Scurry Family, was born Frazier Vonne Thomas on October 10, 1918. She 
is the beloved second child of Napoleon Thomas and Martha Waters Thomas 
of Washington County, Texas. She enjoyed an active childhood with her 
sister, Willa Winters-Miller and brothers, Donald and Napoleon Jr. 
Thomas.
  She married her late husband of 66 years, Robert Daniel Scurry and 
relocated to Houston, Texas. This loving union produced five remarkable 
children: Arthur Daniel (Barbara), Annette Vonne Collett (Billy), 
Frazier Marie Scurry-Scott (Arthur), Donald Roy (Lesley) and Maggie 
Vernece Scurry-Frost (Felton).
  As a young mother, Mrs. Scurry was an attentive and devoted stay-at-
home mom. She made sure that her children received the best upbringing 
possible and that they were raised in a loving, respectful household. 
She remained at home until her youngest child reached school age. She 
then continued her long-deferred education and attended Memorial 
Hermann Hospital Practical Nursing School. She worked diligently to 
become a Licensed Practical Nurse and began her career at Memorial 
Hermann Hospital. She later worked as a private duty nurse where she 
was able to devote special care and attention to her patients whom she 
was known for developing special relationships with. She devoted the 
remainder of her career to the Texas Women's Clinic with Dr. Harold 
Dailey, as a nurse for the private practice, until her well-deserved 
retirement.
  Mrs. Scurry is one of the oldest members of her church, Good Hope 
Missionary Baptist Church, where she has continued her membership for 
over 77 years. She was recently appointed to the newly formed Mothers' 
Board at Good Hope. She was a Sunday School teacher for the Beginners 
Class, for over 30 years; teaching the love and grace of God and Jesus 
Christ. Her faith in God has not wavered in her almost 100 years.
  Mrs. Scurry assisted with the Baptist Training Union, mentoring young 
people on the importance of honoring themselves, as well as others. 
Mother Scurry was president of the Women Ruth Circle, President of the 
Deacons and Trustees Wives, and a representative and delegate at the 
National Baptist Convention and Conference. In her community, Mrs. 
Scurry served as president of the Heights Y Club. Mrs. Scurry kept busy 
at work, giving her patients the best care imaginable and served her 
community and church with her whole heart.
  After her retirement, Mrs. Scurry began organizing trips for women's 
groups; many times driving them cross-country to various states. She 
loved taking cruises, particularly to warm and sunny destinations and 
has visited the Caribbean Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica and the 
Virgin Islands.
  Mrs. Scurry is a loving grandmother of 14, great-grandmother of 24, 
great-great-grandmother of 6 and mother/grandmother to a large extended 
family. She truly believes that it takes a village to raise a child and 
has exemplified that belief throughout her life.
  On July 20, 2018, Mrs. Scurry's family and friends will celebrate her 
centennial birth year and honor her great life. In her entire century 
of life, she has seen both world wars, the Suffragette Movement, the 
invention of the television, the enforcement and abolition of 
prohibition, the Great Depression, the first man on the moon, the 
Civil-Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the rise of 
Martin Luther King, Jr., and the creation and development of the 
internet. These barely even skim the surface of the events Mrs. Scurry 
has experienced throughout her 100 years. Mrs. Scurry's life in the 
20th century and now into the 21st has ensured that she has witnessed 
more landmark events in American history than one can imagine.
  Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ``Life's most persistent and 
urgent question is, `What are you doing for others?' '' Whether she was 
serving her five children, her hospital patients, or her church 
community, Mrs. Scurry consistently and passionately dedicated her life 
to serving others and spreading joy.
  Sophocles said ``One must wait until the evening to see how splendid 
the day has been.''
  Mr. Speaker, now that we are in the evening of the life of Frazier 
Vonne Thomas Scurry, it is clear that she has lived a full and 
consequential life, as a friend, colleague, advocate, community leader, 
and most notably, the beloved matriarch of the Scurry family.

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