Mary Bea Arnold named parade marshal

Editor's Note: Video provided by the Come and Take It Celebration committee.

GONZALES — Longtime champion of Gonzales Mary Bea Arnold was surprised in the lobby of Texan Nursing & Rehab Center last week after the Gonzales Come and Take It Committee officially named her the Come and Take It Parade Marshall.

Executive Director of the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce Daisy Scheske Freeman broke the news to Arnold through a poem:

Mary Bea, Mary Bea
She’s about as Texas as she can be
Marrying her high school sweetheart and growing up in Eagle Lake,
Her and her husband Travis decided to make a break.
They made Gonzales their home,
and dazzled the locals in treasured stones.
But owning their own jewelry store was not enough;
Mary Bea wanted to show she was Texas Tough.
She signed on with the local radio station,
and provided all the fun local information.
She would interview every organization in town,
always upbeat and never a frown.
She took the lead at Gonzales Memorial Museum,
greeting visitors and inviting them in.
“Gonzales!” she would say
“The Lexington of Texas! We hope you stay!”
She would volunteer everywhere in town,
from Pilot Club to Come and Take It,
she would even bring her accordion around.
We all grew up with her music and charm that still caries today,
But the reason why we are here, is to give you praise.
Mary Bea, Mary Bea, Texas Tough, is how we all should be.
The Come and Take It Committee knew without a doubt,
To choose you, to lead the parade route.
Although we may be partial,
But we have chosen you to be our Parade Marshal.

Arnold has volunteered for many years and has been a supporter for all things Gonzales. Known as a musical double threat, Arnold performed for the committee as well as the other residents of the Texan Nursing & Rehab Center by playing her according. Arnold is also proficient with her harmonica.
The Come and Take It Parade takes place this Saturday, Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m.