Beverly Jane Kihneman Graves-Shell

Beverly was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on the 2nd of July 1923, the daughter of Fred Albert Kihneman and Alma Williams, who passed away when Beverly was 3 years old. Beverly was raised by her stepmother, Lillie Ora Kihneman.

Beverly graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, LA and Shreveport Charity Hospital School of Nursing in 1943, and obtained her B.A. from St. Joseph's College in 1982. She began work at Texas Eastern Corporation in 1955 as a registered nurse in the Safety Department and retired as Manager of Medical Services after thirty years of service. For the past 48 years Beverly was a member and ordained elder of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church. One of her greatest joys was singing in the choir at St. Luke's and the Choraliers at Bayou Manor where she lived for the past nine years.

Beverly always considered education to be of the greatest importance and was proud that all her children had obtained advanced degrees.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Glen Gilmer Graves; stepbrother, Lewis James Lewellen; and her loving husband of 42 years, Gilmer W. Graves.

Beverly is survived by brother, Milton Kihneman and stepbrother, Lloyd Lewellen; her daughter, Glenda Dickinson and husband, Ed; sons, Robert Graves and wife, Joanne, Joseph Graves and wife, Judy; and stepdaughter, Kathleen Thrapp and husband Rich; twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In 2004, God gave her a wonderful gift of a loving husband, G. Newman Shell. She is also survived by her husband and stepchildren, Ann Marie LaMar and husband, Richard; David Shell and wife, Carmen; and Sarah Brobston and husband, John; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 16th of November, at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 8915 Timberside Drive in Houston, where Rev. W. Scott Harbison, Pastor, is to officiate.

The service will be followed by a gathering to celebrate Beverly's life at Bayou Manor, 4141 South Braeswood Boulevard in Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family suggests that donations be directed to St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 8915 Timberside Drive, Houston, TX, 77025; or to a charity of one’s choice.

“Beverly enriched our lives with her love and generous spirit. We will miss her dearly, but we know that the angelic choir is celebrating the arrival of their newest soprano.”