April 25, 2007
Most will agree that with the passing of Carol A. Brandon on Monday, Dallas lost one of its most committed volunteers.
“She gave her whole life to the community. A community activist from her heart, Carol didn’t do it just to be recognized,” said Joyce Ann Brown, founder and president of Mothers (Fathers) for the Advancement of Social Systems. “It was a passion for her working to make sure that we had a safe community and that our parks and recreation facilities for our children were excellent.”
Ms. Brandon, a graduate of South Oak Cliff High School worked for Ms. Brown from 2000 to 2005 before going to work for State Rep. Terri Hodge. Ms. Brown credits Ms. Brandon with most of the success of the organization that was started to assist the formerly incarcerated and the falsely accused and convicted.
“Carol Brandon is the reason why MASS is what it is today because when there was no money and we were in my garage; in the heat and cold, she was there,” recalled Ms. Brown, who said she considered Ms. Brandon to be a friend. “When we moved to the Wells Fargo building (MASS’s present location), she was there.
She went to work for Rep. Hodge but she was always looking out for MASS.”
Saying that Ms. Brandon would be “missed dearly,” Ms. Brown described her as a community person who, although she had no children, worked in their best interests as a member of the Dallas Parks and Recreation Board, as well as the entire community.
“She volunteered for more politicians than anyone I’ve seen in my life,” added Ms. Brown. “She made volunteering her life.”
Dallas County Commissioner agreed.
“She made her mark and she will be missed,” he said. “She was definitely a warrior.”
She served on the Park board from November 1993 through November 2002 as the representative for Council District 8 and rising to Vice President. She also served on the Dallas City Plan Commission, a post she was very proud of.
Equally proud was Ms. Brand of her Dallas roots.
Never one to boast about her work, Ms. Brandon served as Vice President, Chair of the Planning and Design Committee and was an invaluable member of the Aquatics Task Force, Employee Grievance Committee, Park Board Re-treat Task Force and the Recreation and Culture Committee. Ms. Brandon’s liaison assignments included the Dallas Nature Center, Freedman’s Cemetery Project, Gang Pro-gram Community Review Committee and Trinity Park/Trinity River Committee now known as the Trinity River Corridor Citizens Committee (TRCCC).
Memorial Services for Ms. Carol A. Brandon will be 6-8p.m. Friday 27 at Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 Wheatland Road.
Cheryl can be reached at csmith@dallasweekly.com
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