Margaret Graham-Broyles

Margaret Graham-Broyles (Maggie) peacefully completed her journey home on December 1, 2021 at the age of 92. She is preceded in death by her parents, eight of her siblings, husband Billy Broyles and eldest son Jim. She is survived by daughters Carla Powers, Cathy Hale (Jim Simons), son Chris, and daughter-in-law Annette Graham and sister Mary Erickson, grandsons Nick Graham (Mary), Noah Graham, Taylor Hale (Aissa) and Andrew Graham.

She was born Margaret Yvyline Payne on January 10, 1929 to parents Burr and Ota Mae in Waco TX. Maggie was the eighth of ten children. She lived half of her life in Waco, first marrying Elton Graham and had four children. Maggie obtained her BA in History from Baylor University in 1974. Her love of Pre-Columbian art and ancient history led to extended studies at the University of the Americas in Mexico City as well as museums in Cairo, Egypt, Turkey, Greece and Israel. Maggie participated in several digs in Egypt, Mexico and Central America. She was appointed Curator of Archaeology for the John K. Strecker Museum, Baylor University.

After her children left home, Maggie moved to Corpus Christi where she worked with her daughter Carla, who owned a health studio. There she met Billy Broyles and they married in 1992. Maggie and Billy retired to Wimberley Tx in 1994. She was a lifelong learner, eager to expand her knowledge of a variety of topics. Archaeology, geology, herpetology, biblical history, birding and jewelry making were just a few of her interests. Maggie loved to share her knowledge and skills with others. She taught fossil classes using the dry creek on her property as her classroom. Maggie was also known as the Blue Bird Lady of Wimberley, taking in injured birds, rehabilitating and releasing them in the wild. She created and installed education displays at the Wimberley library for 10 years. She was actively involved with several groups in Wimberley, including the Wimberley Bead Society, the Bible Babes study group and membership at St Stephens Episcopal Church were just a few examples.

Maggie’s talents were numerous. She was an excellent seamstress, talented artist and accomplished jewelry maker, using her skills in lapidary, gold smithing, metallurgy and general gemology, replicating pieces of pre-Columbian or Egyptian art. Maggie’s love of nature led to building a large collection of orchid and other various flora which her often shared with others. She was a voracious reader and continued to read and study ancient history until the final few days of her life.

Maggie’s love of life and learning will be missed by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held on January 8, 2022 at the Clarewood House Chapel, Houston TX at 2pm. A celebration of her life will be held January 22, 2022 at 2pm at the Wimberley Community Center., Wimberley TX.

Please come with memories and stories to share.