The Port Arthur News
PORT ARTHUR — Paula “Torchy” Salter, a Beaumont businesswoman known as much for philanthropic work as her fashion sense died Sunday.
Known to many simply as “Torchy” her name is synonymous with fashion in Southeast Texas. After working in the clothing industry for many years, her keen eye for fashion and sense for business led her to open “Torchy’s “ her signature boutique in Beaumont’s Westend. The store closed in 2008 after 22 years at it’s two locations: Calder Avenue and Tenth Street and then Phelan Avenue.
She was prominent in the Beaumont Arts scene, serving as a founding member and board of trustee of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas.
Among her charitable work, Salter was a board member of the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program and was honored by the Triangle AIDS Network. TANS selected her for their 2009 Red Ribbon Hero Award in 2009.
