By Darragh Doiron

The News staff writer

Tall, elegant, silver-haired Beverly Parker had tossed on jeans for a project at the YMCA.

Down the hall she early-voted before decorating centerpieces for a Y benefit she’s tackling, then sunk onto a bench to catch her breath.

“I just had a piano lesson,” Parker said.

Tickling the ivories was on her list of things to do after she retired. Having lunch with friends more often and visiting grandkids is also on the list, but don’t think the time is coming in any bigger chunks than it used to. She said she relishes times when she can just read with husband Carl, a lawyer and former senator.

“I really like staying at home and being quiet,” she said. “I read a lot. I make my self read something worthwhile.”

Tell that to all the groups asking her to serve on committees. The arts, tourism and civic groups get a piece of Parker, but learning has a special place in the heart of this retired educator.

She was chairman of the liberal arts department at Lamar State College-Port Arthur and taught political science.

“I miss the students and the people,” Parker said.

She was raised in San Antonio by hard-working German father Clifford Stiegler, who worked with the railroad, and her mother, LaDelle, who told her stand up straight.

“I guess growing up, the advice I remember from Dad the most is, always do the right thing. I guess that just stuck with me,” Parker said.

She must be doing something right, because she’s works with Texas Artists Museum, Southeast Texas Substance Abuse Council, Gift of Life and Port Arthur School Foundation.

She chairs the Jefferson County Tourism Commission and is serving on the Centennial Committee at Lamar State College-Port Arthur. She also teaches adult Sunday School at Memorial Baptist Church.

Her husband served as state representative and senator, his service spanning from 1963 to 1995. While she said she never dreamed she’d live the life of a politician’s wife, she used it to her advantage.