Kathlyn Joy Gilliam - a dedicated educational and community 'servant leader' departed this life

"This is my thesis: caring for persons, the more able and the less able serving each other, is the rock upon which a good society is built." Robert K. Greenleaf - The Institution As Servant

On this 11th day in December a dedicated educational and community 'servant leader' departed this life at her home in her beloved sunny South Dallas, where she lived and served for decades.

Kathlyn Joy Gilliam was one of the longest serving Trustees in the history of Dallas ISD - 23 years.  She was the first African American female elected to the Board and the first African American President of the Board.

Her Motto:  "The only successful products of any school system are well-educated children."

We honor and praise Kathlyn Joy Gilliam for her life of service and advocacy on behalf of children and those left out and left behind.

May she rest in peace.

May her family and friends be comforted by the good news that the joy of her service and the dedication of her life will live in the memories of all who knew and will now remember her with thanks, love and appreciation.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, December 16, 2011 at Christian Chapel CME "Temple of Faith" Church, 14120 Noel Road, Dallas, TX 75254, 972-239-1120. Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. is the Senior Pastor.

District 5 candidate files residency complaint

This needs to be resolved in order to avoid potential election problems and unnecessary election expense.
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Subject: Board Members Eligibility / Qualifications

From: "Daphene-Smart Price Travel" <daphene@smartpricetravel.com>

Date:  Tue, 6 Apr 2010 23:12:23 -0500

To:     deharris

CC:    edwinsflores, jlowe, bparrott, nbingham, cranger, jgarza, amedrano, benutall, lblackburn

Mr. Deno Harris
Director, Board Services
Dallas Independent School District

Dear Mr. Harris

As a candidate for the District 5 Board of Trustees I have a concern regarding Board Members Eligibility/Qualifications in particular the residential status of Trustee Lew Blackburn. Lew Blackburn lists his home address as ..... Dallas, Tx. 75203. It has come to my attention that Mr. Blackburn does own this residence but there is a possibilty that ...... is not his permanent place of  residence. In fact, if my sources are correct Mr. Blackburn's daughter is the current resident ...... Mr. Blackburn is newly married to Mrs ..... Blackburn who resides at ..... Grand Prairie Tx. 75054. Does Mr.Blackburn reside in Grand Prairie with his new bride? I doubt very seriously that the newlyweds are residing at separate residents.

BBA (LEGAL) - C & BBC (LEGAL) - D clearly defines residency term, residence and nonresident. I believe that Mr. Blackburn is in violation as a sitting board member for District 5 and as a candidate for the May 8th election. I am requesting that the permanent residential status of Mr. Blackburn be verified to determine if Mr. Blackburn is in violation of DISD policy. Time is of essence therefore; your immediate attention to this matter would be appreciated. I am requesting that I receive a written response to my concerns in a timely manner.

Sincerely,
Daphene Edmond
Candidate for District 5 Board of Trustee