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Pastor remembers beloved city councilwoman Gethrel “Get” Williams-Wright

The community is mourning the loss of Beaumont city councilwoman Gethrel Williams-Wright who passed away on Sunday.

The community is mourning the loss of Beaumont city councilwoman Gethrel “Get” Williams-Wright who passed away on Sunday.

The funeral for Councilwoman Williams-Wright will take place on Friday at ‪McCabe Roberts Avenue United Methodist Church where she was a longtime member.

Pastor Rodney Graves said it will be hard to preach on Sunday without seeing Williams-Wright sitting with her family in the pew.

"It was really great to see this seat filled, not seeing it filled is going to be a challenge for us," said Williams-Wright.

Pastor Graves said he has been a pastor at the church for the past 10 years and became good friends with Williams-Wright.

She passed away early Sunday morning after she had issues breathing because of fluid that was built up in her lungs.

"She really was a great listener to the word of god and I appreciate that," said Pastor Graves.

Williams-Wright was a great listener and advocate for the city of Beaumont as she served on the city council.

She was the Mayor Pro Tem and known for her passion for fighting for worker’s rights.

"Get was the type of voice that brought those voices together and gave voice and vocabulary to those who need to be heard," said Pastor Graves.

She also ran in a historic city council race against Bobbie Patterson in 1995.

Both Patterson and Williams-Wright were the first African American women to run for city council.

Councilwoman Williams-Wright lost by one vote but never gave up and was elected to city council in 2007.

"She spoke for the least, the lost, the last but she also spoke with and to the power brokers, she was able to communicate in a way that was unifying," said Pastor Graves.

“This is a city I believe is still working to clarify its voice as it relates to race, ethnicity, gender and this city reflects the nation.”

As he looks at the pew where she used to sit he thinks of Get and the impact she made on Beaumont.

"You've left such a powerful legacy that God is going to raise up someone to fill in your place,” said Pastor Graves. “No one can replace you but there will be someone who can succeed you because you have done such good work.”

Councilman Mike Getz told 12news the city council will appoint someone from within the council to be the Mayor Pro Tem. He said the council will eventually appoint someone else to serve as city council member at large.

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