Candidate Bio: 

Education/Credentials 

  • Bellaire High School Graduate
  • The Krist Samaritan Center Certified Pastoral Care Specialist
  • Ordained Eucharistic Minister Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
  • Certified Lay Speaker Southeast District of the United Methodist Church

Awards/Honors

  • 2013 Recipient of the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau CVB Industry Service Award
  • 2014 Recipient of Theodore Johns Branch Library Remarkable Woman Recognition
  • 2018 Recipient of The Pioneering Women’s “Outstanding Woman” Award

Work Experience 

  • Current Chaplain BEST Hospice Care of Texas
  • Chaplain Buckner Hospice
  • Interim Chaplain Calder Woods Retirement Community
  • Current Founder and Executive Director of Growing Community Inc. (GCI)
  • Former Founding Owner Emotional Factor (EF2)

Positions 

Elected Positions
  • Current Jefferson County Democratic Party Chairperson
  • Precinct 14 Chair Jefferson County, Texas
Appointed Positions 
  • Current Beaumont Convention’s and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Chairperson (CVB)
  • Mayor Ames’ Appointee to Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board (CVB)
  • Commissioner for Planning and Zoning City of Beaumont Appointed by Councilmember Wright
  • Beaumont Texas Community Development Block Grant Committee Appointed by
  • Councilmember Wright

Volunteer Work 

  • Boys and Girls Club/Salvation Army
  • Inspire, Encourage and Achieve (IEA) Ben’s Kids
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Downtown Beaumont Cultural Arts District Board (DBCAD)
  • Volunteered on Democratic Party Campaigns Nationally, Statewide and Locally 2006- Present
  • Campaign Manager for Councilmember at Large Bill “BoBo” Sam 2019
  • U.S. Census 2020  To edit, click on the text to start adding your own words.

Personal

  • Married 22 years to Pastor, Dr. Rodney L. Graves, DMin
  • Lifetime Member of the United Methodist Church