words and photos by Meg Baertl Brown
Born in Nashville, Tennessee and became a Texas during her sophomore year of high school. Her family moved to Houston upon her father becoming a Professor at Texas Southern University, in addition to her mother teaching in Alvin and Houston ISD.She met and fell in love with her phenomenal husband a United Methodist Pastor, Dr. Rodney L. Graves. The United Methodist Conference appointed him as Pastor to McCabe Roberts Ave UMC in Beaumont in 2009, and the rest as they say is “herstory.” She states, “Beaumont is our home.”
She is enjoying retired life and is currently serving her second term as Jefferson County Democrat Party Chair, which she is first African American and 3rd female to serve in this position. She has served on the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau Board and spends time volunteering for several non-profits and civic events.
Her hobbies include spending time at the beach. Coming from Nashville, she had never seen a beach. Her first beach experience was when she visited Galveston and fell in love with the island. She enjoys finding unique places for having coffee. She states coffee with family and friends is an endearing way of spending time together, even if their coffee is a cocktail. She also enjoys people watching, community engagement, relaxing at home with family and friends. Boat rides on the Neches River is one of her new favorite things thanks to Golden Triangle Water Sports.
She has crowned herself as “Queen of Tours.” Sharing the treasures of Beaumont and SETX when her friends and family visit brings her great joy. She states she is so proud of our city and living in Southeast Texas.
Who are some of your style icons? Solange Knowles. First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis. First Lady Michele Obama. Princess Diana. Mary Tyler Moore. Iris Apfel.
How did you dress as a child? My mother often dressed my older sister and I alike. People often thought we were twins. All three of us girls wore lots of bows in the hair, dresses, and patent leather shoes. We wore the cutest short sets in the summer and mom made us the coolest swimsuits.
What would you tell someone who isn’t confident to wear things they like?
“Do you boo!” Wear what you like and like what you wear. Seize the moment to be you. Don’t judge yourself. You are created from love and beauty. That is who you are. Over 350 species of birds migrate through our very own Cattail Marsh annually. They are all different and uniquely beautiful. You are a unique and beautiful bird.
How would you describe your style? SometimesClassic, other times trendy, sometimes unexpected, odd at times, comfortable, uncomfortable, (meaning trying something new and out of my comfort zone). It depends on the look I want to achieve for the occasion. I am a big advocate of switching things out. I love mismatched tops with bottoms and jackets with different patterns that somehow work together. I mix up my favorite pieces. It makes me happy. I often wear the same 6 or 7 items just in different ways.
What are some of your favorite wardrobe pieces? Pencil pants are a must. Cute jackets always a go to. Light weight turtlenecks in the early spring and of course sweaters in the winter. Dresses and skirts, a really good pant suit. Hats and scarves always on standby. Shoes and bags are my jam. Lipstick and sunglasses tops everything off.
What is one thing people don’t know about you? I played the violin.
Tell us one Beaumont hidden gem (places that aren’t necessarily well-known) that you recommend: I absolutely enjoy spending time at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park. I enjoy viewing the names on the stones of those who invested in the establishment of the park, many who are no longer with us, such as my mentor the late Councilmember Get Williams Wright and church member Sony Perkins.
Meditating on Dr. King, Jr.’s writings provide me a place of respite when my head is on overload and my heart feels heavy. Spending time on the Neches River as mentioned before. There are numerous hidden jewels in our town.
What are three healthy/beauty tips? Be kind.Be generous. Be present.
