If you’ve been in the Parish House recently, you will notice that Muffie Newell is not in her usual office. She has moved! Communications expert Beverly Hollberg has moved into her office and Muffie has moved to the Braxton Room.
Why is it called Braxton Room and where is it? The Braxton Room is named after Esta Meneffee Braxton who is related to parishioner Lisa Moore and lived her entire life within Trinity parish. The very existence of Trinity was her life for 91 years. She was a dedicated parishioner, and her good works were not only devoted to Trinity but also to the Staunton community. She was an active member of the Ladies’ Aid (before it became known as Episcopal Church Women), the Guild, and a “preferential giver” which meant if there was a need in the church, you only had to ask Esta and she would give! She loved sweets and apparently her French candies were the mainstay of the confectionary table at all church events.
In Staunton she was involved with King’s Daughters Hospital, the Welfare League, the Children’s Committee, and Queenie Miller’s — an orphanage for Black children. Esta was a pioneer of her concern for all mankind.
If you enter McCracken Hall from the main hallway, you will notice three large doors at the back of the room. The Braxton Room is the door on the far right numbered 31. Why it has the number 31 painted on it, we have no idea, but Muffie intends to find out. If the door is open, she is in the office. The room has been freshly painted, and she has rearranged the room. Please stop by to say hello and check out her new digs. She even has a fireplace!
