Hi! I’m Beth, the owner of Refried Okra.
I love heirlooms—anything sentimental, really. I believe they should be displayed, not just kept hidden in a closet somewhere. My main passion is repurposing something you love into something you will use or show off, so everyone can enjoy that part of who you are.
Our mission at Refried Okra is to Repurpose, Reintroduce, and Reconnect. Repurpose—give new life to items that no longer seem to have a purpose. Reintroduce—bring back those things we once loved but somehow grew out of or moved away from. Reconnect—learn to love the things our ancestors cherished and find ways to incorporate them into our lives to remember who we are and where we came from, all while staying true to ourselves and giving it our own personal twist.
As for our name… a few years ago, I had a small garden in our backyard. One night, we prepared a small crop of okra into one of our favorites—fried okra. One of my children made a comment about not liking it, and I responded, “Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it isn’t good.” Then it hit me—too often, we worry about whether other people will like what we create. But we don’t need everyone’s approval. I figured if I liked it, someone else would too. Add in the “re” for repurposed, and there you have it—Refried Okra.
Hi! I’m Charley, I handle the digital end of Refried Okra and also help with social media content.
Beth has been a part of my life since day one—she’s my aunt. She invited me to join the team because of my creative background in photography and digital design.
I’ve been a photographer since 2006 and also spent six years as a florist in my husband’s family business until the shop sold in 2023. That same year, I had a stroke, which I’m still recovering from—though you wouldn’t know just by looking at me. I have some lingering dexterity and strength challenges in my hand, which have made it difficult to return to the jobs I’ve always known.
I’ve always been sentimental, with a deep love for family history and the stories tied to heirlooms. That’s why Refried Okra resonates with me—it’s about preserving and celebrating the past in a way that fits into the present. As a mom to a toddler, I find even more value in preserving family history and heirlooms—passing down stories and traditions feels more important than ever.
With my experience in digital design and website creation, I’ve found a natural fit here, using my creativity to bring our digital offerings to life and help make heirlooms and traditions more accessible in the modern world.