Beverley Rasberry

Stone

Beverley Ann Rasberry Stone , of Sweetwater, TX , passed away peacefully Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Villages of Sugarland, TX.

Beverley was born on January 3, 1939, in Sweetwater, TX , and the oldest child to Raymond Rasberry and Mary "Lucille" Busby. Be verley married Richard Donald Graham of Plainview , TX , on December 18, 1955 , and they lived in Sweetwater , TX . , Rotan, TX . , Roby, TX . , Muskogee, OK . , Okay, OK., Springfield, MO . , Kirkwood, KS . , Mableton, GA . , Austell GA . , and Atlanta GA ., until they divorc ed in June 197 3. They had their first son Creig Graham in 1958 , followed by Kelton Graham in 1962.

Beverley had a fantastic career , starting as a Telephone Operator and working her way up through the ranks to become the highe st-ranking woman at AT&T's Worl dwide Headquarters in Atlanta, GA , assuming the role of Head of Operations, USA , overseeing long-distance or long lines, and their placement across the country. In 1982 after the Justice Department broke up AT&T, Beverley made a wise decision , joined South west Bell, and moved back to Sweetwater, TX. She retired from her career at the Telephone co mpany in 1992. In 1991, Beverley and Raymond Stone , her husband , bought the Trammell House, built between 1911 and 1913. The home was designed by noted architect Jo hn Young, father of actress Loretta Young, and she had a vision of turning it into the first Bed and Breakfast in Sweetwater. Beverley often said, "Can't you just see it restored."

This was a common expression from her, although few people could envision her ideas until they were completed. Beverley was able to petition and win from the Sta te of Texas , an official Texas Historic Landmark for the property. She was never more in her environment than when entertaining guests and planning events. Beverley was an amazingly accomplished woman .  She was a visionary , a teacher, unbelievably generou s, had a huge heart, and loved to smile and laugh until her death. She never turned anyone away and often took people in and tried to give them a new start in life. At th e end of her path , she knew her greatest reward was the hundreds of people she had touched , influenced, and loved . Sh e had a fun-loving , youthful attitude throughout her remarkable life. However, she could also stand firm and charge ahead , and when challe nged, s he never took no for an answer.

She was tenacious , driven, and a "No Bull Shit" woman . She often said , " if you're going to do it , then do it with class, be tactful , respectful , and mannered . Some o f her famous quotes were " Y ou have to maintain a l ittle bit of that don't give a shit attitude" and "life is simple- people mess it up ," as well as "it's not that complicated, just do it"! "It only costs a nickel to do it right and go first class." She always encouraged her kids to make decisions.  If the re were a choice between two shirts to buy – s he would say , " buy them both , and if you don't like one of them when you get home then give it away or donate it or throw it out !"

Beverley was preceded in death by both of her parents and is survived ; by her c hildren: Creig Graham of Houston , TX., and Kelton and Kara Graham of Puyallup, W A., as well as her grandchildren Amber Robinson of Dallas, GA , Lynn and Jeff Portwood of Smyrna, GA , Auston and Kennedy Graham of Kent, WA , and Kendall Graham of Houston, TX . , step-grandsons Scott Brewer of Boise, ID and Christopher Brewer of Puyallup, WA , and great-grand children Mason Robinson, Hayden Robinson, Tre' Calvino , Dylan Portwood , Max Portwood and her brothers Brannon Rasberry , Bradley Rasberry along with numerous nep hews, nieces , and cousins.

A "Celebration of Life & Memorial Service" will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at McCoy's Chapel of Memories from 2 -3 pm. Interment will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery directed by McCoy Funeral Home.

In L ie u of f lowers , a donation can be made to : The City o f Sweetwater Animal Shel ter, P.O. Box 450, Sweetwater, Tex a s 79556.