Cornelia Graves

In 1875 Cornelia Graves is born as the youngest of 9 children. She works hard, graduates from Prairie View A&M University then earns her teaching certificate. In 1907 she leaves Dallas and goes back to Stephenville. 

There she takes a job at Bethelda Colored School. A new school, with just 12 students. For the next 20 years she will work as the only teacher, and principal. She also worked as the Sunday school superintendent. During her time in Stephenville, she would marry civil war veteran John Graves.  

When John became ill with Tuberculosis, they would move to Amarillo for better treatment. There she would continue her teaching career. Even when she left Stephenville, they named they named a school after her in 1951. 

In 1960, Graves would pass away but her legacy would live on. In 2012 Texas would dedicate a historical monument to her making sure that her name would never be forgotten.