Known as the First Lady of Texas, she was a noted art and antiques collector and used her wealth to benefit the citizens of the state.
When oil was discovered on the family's plantation, she enjoyed a comfortable upbringing and was able to study music in Europe.
She founded the Houston Child Guidance Center for disturbed children, being convinced that mental health problems in adults came from untreated diseases in their childhood.
She lost her mother to tuberculosis early on in her life and was raised by her widowed older sister.
Marta Cunningham was another prominent Texas philanthropist with her own foundation.
