Nathalie Gibbens Graham

Nathalie Lyles Gibbens was born in December of 1933 to Benjamin and Florence (Big Juannie) Gibbens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Nathalie was proud to be called a member of the 1933 Gold Diggers, six cousins all born in 1933 (the same year as the release of the movie “Gold Diggers of 1933”). The cousins enjoyed the moniker and were connected by it all their lives. Nathalie lost her beloved father in World War II at the age of nine. She grew up with her older sister Juannie and younger brother Ben, raised by their loving mother and aunts. She went on to graduate from Louisiana State University with an English degree. She married Daniel W. McMahon, also of Baton Rouge. Together they raised five children, Erin, Daniel Jr., Kathleen, Timothy and Kathryn while moving all over the world for the US Air Force. When Dan Sr. decided to get out of the air force and make a go in the construction field, Nathalie went to work as an English teacher at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge to make ends meet. Later, after Dan went back into the service, the cost of raising a large family on the salary of a young Air Force captain proved too much. When Dan was sent overseas to Thailand for a year of remote duty, Nathalie returned to Baton Rouge and LSU for her master’s in library science. During this year, despite raising 5 children, 2 under 3yrs, on her own, Nathalie completed the master’s program in 9 months. While Dan was assigned to Naha AB, Okinawa, Nathalie served as the school librarian and later promoted to base librarian. On the next move, to Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, Nathalie found a way to bring libraries into the mainstream by advertising ‘working air conditioning’ during a summer long heat wave and developed a highly successful summer reading program. The next move was prompted by Nathalie’s promotion to Deputy Director, World Wide Air Force Libraries, Randolph AB, San Antonio, Tx. In true form and quoting a favorite line from George Straight, “All my exes live in Texas”, (after her divorce), Nathalie made a bold move to RAF Upper Heyford, England, as the MWR (Moral, Welfare and Recreation) Chief, where she forged friendships and opportunities (and memories of legendary parties) that would last her lifetime. After one of her most treasured professional achievements, the General Curtis E. LeMay award at Upper Heyford, Nathalie went on to her next challenge and joined the USAFE (United States Air Force, Europe) MWR headquarters staff at Ramstein AB, GM. She rose to Deputy Director of MWR / Services, overseeing the program for all Air Force bases in Europe before retiring as GM-15. It was during her time in Germany that Nathalie met James (Jim) Graham, a retired Army Lt. Col. Their love of musical theatre brought them to London, England many times for long weekends and holidays. One visit changed their lives, prompting them to retire from civil service and start anew as the proud owners of the Chester Arms Pub. She loved operating the pub while Jim entertained the patrons with his beautiful singing voice. The two eventually sold the pub, and after owning and operating a restaurant outside of San Antonio, Texas, they moved to Damascus, Virginia for their next big adventure. The Mountain Laurel Inn was love at first sight, a beautiful Victorian bed and breakfast where she lived from 1999 until her passing in July, 2021. Sadly, Nathalie lost her husband Jim in 2014. Determined not to “just sit in a chair and wait to die”, Nathalie said, “I don’t know who’ll hire me at eighty plus years old, but I’m going back to work.” And she did. After a short stint as a campus librarian at a local college, Nathalie was recruited, even courted, to save a local senior’s center in Abingdon, VA. Her first goal was to transform it from a senior’s center to a community center. Her passion for the community was evident in the programs she created while there. Her never ceasing love for Meals on Wheels and those in need who depended on it were closest to her heart. Nathalie was deeply loved as a mother by her children but also admired and respected by them for all her accomplishments. Her professional career not only spanned seven decades but multiple continents as well. She was known by her peers as someone full of life and committed to excellence in all she did. This was evident by the lifelong friendships she established wherever she went. She was an eternal optimist and probably is best remembered by her radiant smile and warm southern laugh. Nathalie is survived by her sister Juannie and brother Ben, her children Erin, Dan (Janey), Kathleen, Timothy (Leslie) and Kathryn (Frank), 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Condolences for the family may be sent and viewed by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mrs. Evans and her family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Ave., Damascus, VA 24236; ph.#: (276) 475-3631.Read Obituary