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Gwendolyn Bennett Pappas, writer, artist, Past
Poet Laureate of Texas, Mother of the Year, Homemaker of the Year,
"One of Houston's Ten Outstanding Women," Poet Laureate
of Houston for the Bicentennial, civic and cultural leader of
Houston, passed away on Christmas morning, 2001.
She was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 12,
1919 to a real estate broker and a dress designer. The
family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where a junior high English
teacher encouraged her to write. She eventually became the
school's poet laureate.
After high school, she married manufacturer and
inventor, Phillip Miller Pappas. Told by doctors that she
could not have children, the couple moved to Houston to be near
St. Joseph's Hospital, which was hailed as the leading obstetrics
center in the country.
Mrs. Pappas had six children and six miscarriages.
She continued to write throughout her life.
In 1963, she was named Poet Laureate for the state
of Texas.
She was a freelance writer for magazines,
newspapers, society and news columns, fiction, inspirational and
educational articles, and inspirational poetry and prose for the
"The Christian Herald. Her story, "The Other Side
of the Hill" was honored as "one of the best short
stories of the last yen years" in a compilation entitled,
"Days of Grass", by Rachel L. Hartman.
Her many honors and decorations include: One of
Houston's Ten Outstanding Women-1961; Houston's Outstanding
Homemaker-1961; Houston's Mother of the Year-1962; Elected
Poet Laureate of Texas-1963; Poet Laureate, Houston American
Revolution Bicentennial Poet Laureate; and Pin Oak Charity Horse
Show.
In 1972 she received the Doctor of Humane Letters,
Honor Cause from Dr. Peshoton S. Dubash, President of E'
University Library (Asie). In 1974, She received a citation
from the Texas Senate and House of Representatives for
contributions to the artistic history of Texas and for civil and
cultural achievements.
She received keys to the city for Houston and
Marshall, Texas. The Cross for Christian Service and
Contributions was bestowed personally by the late former King
Peter II of Yugoslavia; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem,
Knights of the Malta. She also received a Certificate of
Merit from National Register, Prominent Americans, Distinguished
Contributions Award -- Chroniclers International, International
Who's Who of Poetry -- Appreciation Award, Poet Laureate Blood
Royal, Poets Laureate, International (Blood Royal), and honor from
World Poets Laureate, and received two Gold Laurel Wreath Crowns
from the President of the Phillipines, Carlos P. Garcia (Poetry)
from Poets Laureate International. Celebrations include
"Gwendolyn Bennett Pappas Day," at the University of
Houston in 1963 and Gwendolyn Bennett Pappas honored as Poet
Laureate by Mary Gibbs Jones at Rice University, November 8, 1963.
Art showings include Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston,
Texas, August 14, 1978, featuring an exhibit of paintings and
"paper petitpoint" from the works of Gwendolyn Bennett
Pappas.
Memberships include: Magna Carta Dames; Honorary
Life Regent, Texas Division National Society Magna Carta Dames;
Charter Honorary Life Regent, Houston Colony; Magna Carta Dames
Poet Laureate, Texas Division Magna Carta Dames; Knights of
the Greater Descendents Order of Washington, Americans for Royal
Descent, Sovereign Colonial Order of the Crown, membership only by
direct lineal descent from Emperor Charlemagne.
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Other noted ancestors include Charles Carrol of
Carrolton, signer of the Declaration of Independence; 1st Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court, Roger Brooke Taney; and Francis
Scott Key, author of the Star Spangled Banner.
Other patriotic and historical memberships include
Lady Washington DAR, Soc. Heraldry, Colonial Dames XVII Century,
Huguenots, Daughters of American Colonists, New England Women,
Augustan Society, Freedom Foundation, Navy of the British Empire,
and Houston American Bicentennial Commission.
Mrs. Pappas was recognized by all applicable
Marquis Who's Who Volumes, Living Descendents Blood Royal,
England's Blue Book, Houston Social Directory, World Nobility and
Peerage, International Poet's Shrine, National Social Directory,
Academy of American Poets, Who's Who International Poetry, Texas
Women of Distinction, Foremost Women in Communications, Dictionary
of International Biography, The Assembly of New York City, charter
member of The Warwick Club, The University Club, The Plaza Club,
and The Pin Oak's Sponsor Club. General memberships include:
Founding Director of Jones Hall, Poets Laureate International,
Women of Sovereign Christian Services, Marquis' Biographical
Library Advisory Board, Houston Baptist College President's
Advisors, Rice University, Society Families -- President's Club,
Harris County Heritage Society, Women's Forum, English Speaking
Union, L'Alliance D'Franchaise D'Houston, Institutio Hispanic
Culture of Houston, Junior League Luncheon Club, Pin Oaks Charity
Horse Show, International Platform Committee, Charter Member Rice
University, The Shepherd Society, and Rice University President's
Club. Other memberships include: Woman Building
Association -- Milford House, Federation Women's Clubs, Local
State National, Houston Ballet Company, ARCS (Achievement Reward
College Scientists), Flag Opportunity Center (May Dell Flag --
founded during her presidency Houston's Women's Forum),
Zoo-Illogical Society, Currently Literature Society, Southwood
Garden Club -- City Federation of Garden Clubs, Arranged Chr. for
City Federation Garden Club's Participation in first two
International Flower Shows -- held at Shamrock Hotel, 1st
Vice-President of City Federation Garden Clubs -- organizing and
establishing by laws for over 40 garden clubs, Music Guild, Bach
Society, Friends of the Public Library, Press Club of Houston
Conservative Arts, Parliamentary Law Club, Houston Pen Women,
Poetry Society Texas, PTA member for all six children, Art League
of Houston, Charter Member, AFS -- American Field Service --
Chairman, Host Family Comm. (Lamar High School), IIE (Institute of
International Education -- Rice University Host Family Comm.,
Directory Pin Oaks Charity Horse Show, National Security
Council Member, member of the Smithsonian, and England Blue Book,
Royal Blue Book.
Mrs. Pappas is survived by her husband, Phillip
Miller Pappas; sons: Evan Brooke and wife Sue, Phil Jr. and wife
Nancy, Sewell and wife Patty, Chris and wife Joan and daughters:
Regina Seale and husband Ed and Gwendy Lewis and husband Donald.
Her grandchildren are: Susan, Jennifer, Lisa, Aris, Michael,
Julie, Laura, Chris Jr., Matthew, Phillip, Terrell, Sarah, Joan,
Gwendolyn, and John-Phillip. She also had five great
grandchildren.
She was an inspiration to all fortunate enough to
know her. Her love of life, positive attitude, courage,
determination, loyalty, and kind and loving heart blessed this
world and all of those around her.
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