Marcilea Graham Fletcher, age 76, of Coleman, died Friday, March 17, 2023, at Holiday Hill Nursing Home.
She was born on September 22, 1946, in Coleman to Arnold Lee Graham and Ina Fay Ray Graham. Marcilea grew up in Coleman where she attended school. She then graduated from Howard Payne University. Marcilea knew at a young age she wanted to help people and considered everyone friends. She moved to Austin where she made her mark and became a part of Texas history.
Marcilea wore many hats in her day, objectively and subjectively. She had a collection of over 1000 hats that she wore and became knows as the “Hat Lady” in Austin. People would often ask her “what is under your hat?” This only begins to scratch the surface of her identity. She was one of the founding members of the Pecan Street Festival that began in Austin on 6th. Street, which is a festival that is still celebrated today. Marcilea also became a huge advocate for the LGBTQ community in Austin. She opened one of the first gay bars in Austin, The Friends and Lovers Bar, giving people a safe place to gather and make friends. All were welcome, and all were friends to Marcilea. She also opened the Lonestar Male Review, which became a popular place for women and men. Her love and acceptance throughout the gay community made her the number one ally for many who were abandoned by their own family. She was the Grand Marshall for many Gay Pride parades in Austin. Her work for the people in Austin gave her recognition by her dear friends, Governor Ann Richards and Bettie Naylor, an icon and champion in the movements for women’s rights, gay rights and reproductive choice and a founding member of the Texas Freedom Network. Marcilea was always willing to take on a new adventure. She made and sold her own beer called “90’s Choice”, which became a hit in Austin.
Marcilea was also avid in getting the Christopher Hospice House organized, which helped with the end-of-life care for many HIV patients. She also became a realtor and made many friends from clients and listings throughout Travis County. Her kindness, strong will, and open heart will be deeply missed. It is through her work that many young people were accepted and given a chance at life.
Preceding Marcilea in death are her parents, Arnold and Ina Fay Graham.
She is survived by her children, Dayna Beadel of Abilene, Nicholas Fletcher and wife Eydie of New Port, Oregon, and Graham Rhett Fletcher of Austin; two grandchildren, Zachary Burdick and wife Kristina of Austin and Brittany Burdick of Austin; two great-grandchildren, Ava Burdick and Olivia Burdick; and two sister, Jody Winstead and husband James of Coleman and Brenda Parks and husband Robert of Van Alstyne.
The family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Marcilea’s honor be made to the Austin Gay Pride, P.O. Box 162924, Austin, Texas 78716 or to the Equality Texas Foundation at www.eqalitytexas.org. You can also put on your best hat, walk with pride, and be kind to one another.
We invite you to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Fletcher family by signing the virtual guestbook on Marcilea’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Fletcher family.
In keeping with her traditions, no services will be held. She has chosen to help others by donating her remains to the Texas Tech Willed Body Program.