Texas woman discovers she's white after 70 years

Marvin Hurst | KENS-TV, San Antonio

Show Caption Hide Caption Woman discovers she's white after 70 years Verda Byrd considers herself African-American, even though she was actually born white. But the mere mention of Rachel Dolezal sets her off. Byrd says the difference between them is she didn't know her racial heritage for 70 years.

CONVERSE, Texas — A well-kept family secret about racial identity has given a Texas woman a unique perspective on the uproar surrounding Rachel Dolezal.

The mere mention of Dolezal's name sets Verda Byrd off like a stick of dynamite.

"She lied about her race," Byrd said. "I didn't lie because I didn't know."

Dolezal's publicized choice to identify herself as black has been under scrutiny. The former NAACP president in Spokane, Wash., is accused of deceiving the public by insisting she was not only of black descent but black herself.

Byrd considers herself African American.

"I'm comfortable with being a black woman," she said.

Her preference in race comes through an incredible set of circumstances. Byrd was born to Earl and Daisy Beagle in September 1942. Her biological parents, whom she describes as white transients, named her Jeanette.

Her father walked out on his family leaving her mother with 10 children to care for. After Daisy Beagle fell 30 feet to the ground in a trolley accident, the state of Missouri took her children away from her because she could not care for them.

Jeanette was adopted by a financially strong African-American family who lived in Newton, Kan. Ray and Edwinna changed Jeanette's name to Verda. As an only child, she lived a good life on her father's salary as a railroad porter. Verda Ann Wagner was seen and treated as a fair-skinned black child.

"My adoptive mother, Edwinna Wagner, never told me that she had adopted a white baby," she said. "She took it to her grave that she had a white daughter."

Byrd married twice and had a daughter. In 2013, Byrd started searching for her biological parents when Edwinna Wagner came clean about the adoption. However, Byrd's adoptive mother shared no other details.

"It's was unbelievable," Byrd said of learning her biological parents and siblings were white.

"I grew up not questioning birth or anything else because it was never told to me that I was born white."

She had lived 70 years with no clue of her true heritage. She, however, has claimed no status as a victim.

"Jeanette Beagle does not fit Verda Byrd," she said. "Jeanette Beagle does not have an education. Jeanette Beagle has no Social Security money because she does not work. She never went to kindergarten."

Verda Byrd, her married name, does have great layers in life never afforded to Jeanette. The allotment includes a unique and critical perspective on Dolezal.

Byrd admits she and Dolezal both made the same decision about race under different circumstances and for personal reasons.

Byrd has reunited with her living siblings. She said they don't discuss race.