Katy Beth Irwin McGahey
Katy Beth lives in the DFW Metroplex with her husband, Ryan McGahey, and their beloved cat and dog. Her sister, Natalie Waters (Irwin), resides nearby in Fort Worth, but she frequently visits her family in Texarkana, including her parents, Suzy and Robert Irwin, and grandmother, Barbara Carl.
A proud graduate of the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Katy Beth earned her degree in visual art and design. Her passion for art and design, first sparked by the art department at Pleasant Grove ISD, has flourished throughout her career. She currently serves as the Corporate Gift Buyer for Dr. Delphinium Design and Events in Dallas, TX, and is the owner of Sorted in Style, a professional organizing business.
When she is not curating exceptional products or organizing spaces, Katy Beth volunteers as an advisor for her sorority, Chi Omega, at UNT and nurtures her love of ballet through weekly adult classes. She also enjoys exploring DFW’s vibrant shopping and restaurant scene and cherishes time spent with friends and family.
What is your favorite Texarkana memory?
Being presented at the 2014 debutante ball is one of my favorite Texarkana memories. It was such a joy to share the tradition of the annual Texarkana Cotillion Ball with my new college friends and introduce them to my hometown friends. We danced the night away, and I loved showing them everything that makes my hometown special. It was so much fun to combine both worlds.
Where was your favorite place to shop in Texarkana?
I’ve always had a passion for gifting, which ties perfectly into my current role as a gift buyer for a floral design and event company. Growing up in Texarkana, I loved shopping at Abby Gayles, Fan Fare, and Gables. Even as a young girl, I looked forward to going with my mom to explore these stores. Modeling for Abby Gayles was an unforgettable experience—it felt like playing dress-up as I chose outfits to wear. It was such a fun and inspiring experience.
What do you love about Texarkana?
What I love most about Texarkana is the strong sense of community. One of my favorite memories is performing in The Nutcracker with the community ballet every year. I started out playing a child in the family scene and grew into the role of Clara my senior year. It was such a special experience, not only because of the performances, but also because dancers from all over the community could participate. Through this, I made so many lifelong friends. I also loved how so many community members would come together to watch the performance and kick off the holiday season—it felt like a joyful tradition.
Were you a Hawk, Leopard, Razorback, or Tiger?
Hawk Nation all the way. I attended Pleasant Grove from first through twelfth grade, and there are so many special stories I could share about my time there. Friday night football games were always a highlight—win or lose, sitting next to the band in the drill team section was a blast. We loved performing together at halftime, and toward the end of the game, we would join the band for the iconic “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” chant to keep the energy high and cheer on the Hawks.
How do you describe Texarkana to your friends?
I often joke that all roads lead back to Texarkana. Whether I’m driving by the Perot Museum in downtown Dallas or watching Joscelyn Roberson compete in the US Olympics, I always seem to find a connection to Texarkana. I describe it as a small town with a big personality, full of charm, and a strong sense of community. The family-oriented culture becomes a part of you, and it’s something I carry with me wherever I go. I love sharing a little piece of Texarkana with everyone I meet.
Who is someone from Texarkana who impacted your life?
I am blessed to have many mentors from Texarkana. Countless teachers and friends have had a profound impact on my life. I’m especially grateful for the fine arts teachers I had growing up, as they laid the foundation for skills I still use daily. My art teacher, Nicole Brisco, and my dance teachers, Tiffany Beck and Traci Walker, not only nurtured my creativity but also taught me how to apply those skills professionally. Their guidance and encouragement have been invaluable to my personal and professional growth.
What do you miss about Texarkana?
I miss the beauty of Texarkana, especially the lush greenery. Growing up, I took it for granted, but now I truly appreciate how scenic and peaceful the town is.
What do you think makes Texarkana famous?
I think what makes Texarkana famous is its unique state line. Every time I have a friend visit, I always show them the state line—it’s such a cool feature of the town. I also think the Perot Theatre is something special. It’s a beautiful venue that rivals many other performance spaces, and it’s a gem in the heart of our community.
Where was your favorite place to eat in Texarkana?
Waffle House
TXK Roots is Texarkana Magazine’s forum to highlight and honor Texarkana natives who have accomplished big things in the world. These folks may have relocated, but they took the values, education, work ethic and creativity instilled in them by growing up in this unique border city and used these qualities to blaze extraordinary trails. We asked them to share their thoughts about growing up here. No matter how far from Texarkana they may find themselves, we will always consider them our neighbors and we are proud to claim them as forever members of our extended Texarkana community. After all, “everyone is famous in their hometown!”
