Peggy Charmaine Adams-Roquemore thought her son, Gerald Wright was taking her for a quiet dinner with family Saturday evening.
When he arrived Saturday evening, he wasn’t in his car, but a chauffeured Limo was waiting.
When she stepped out of the Limo and through the doors of Cotton’s in Downtown Monroe, she froze—then burst into laughter—at the sight of a room overflowing with cheering relatives, childhood friends, and former clients who had come from near and far to celebrate her 70th birthday a few days early.
Surprise!
The shout of “Surprise!” rang out as dozens rose to their feet in honor of a woman whose flair, talent, and heart have touched generations.
Roquemore, who turns 70 on November 18, is known throughout Northeast Louisiana as one of the premier hairstylists of her era. For decades, clients flocked to her salons—marketed under the iconic name “Hair Styles by Charmaine”—seeking not just her gifted hands, but her warm laugh, keen advice, and unmistakable sense of grace.
Her journey began in Columbia,La. where she graduated from Union Central High School. Popular and full of school spirit, she made history around 1971 as the first Black cheerleader at Caldwell Parish High School following the merger of the formerly segregated schools.
She graduated in 1973 and headed to Northeast Louisiana State University (Now ULM) in Monroe to study nursing. Inspired by her mother, Alice DeGraffenried—Adams, who raised eight children after the passing of her husband, Robert Adams— inherited the family calling to help others.
Life shifted when she became a young mother. After the births of her children—Gerald Wright in 1975 with childhood sweetheart and husband Willie Wright, and Toria Adams in 1978 with Gregory Wiley—her college plans were shelved.
Became a stylist
Still determined to build a meaningful career while caring for her family, she returned to the art she had learned at her mother’s side: hair styling.
In 1985, Roquemore earned her cosmetology license from Rene’s Cosmetology School in Dallas, and the legend of Charmaine was born.
Over the years, she opened several successful salons, sometimes under the banner Charmaine’s, other times as Creations by a Diva. Each business thrived, then closed only when she decided to embark on a new direction—always fearless, always ready for the next adventure.
Her personality made every room lighter and every family gathering livelier. She made friends quickly, kept them easily, and entertained them endlessly with stories of her escapades.
Embraced Vitiligo
Even when she developed Vitiligo in 2012, she embraced the change rather than hiding it. The skin condition became part of her signature look—a symbol of resilience and self-acceptance that many admired.
Saturday night’s celebration proved just how far her influence reached. Former clients traveled hundreds of miles to attend. Testimonies flowed—stories of trust, loyalty, and lifelong friendship. Many said she was the only beautician they ever trusted with their hair.
The evening was filled with laughter, tears, hugs, and memories stretching across decades. Most of all, it echoed one message: Peggy Charmaine Roquemore not only styled hair—she shaped lives.
As the applause swelled around her, one thing became clear: turning 70 has never looked so fabulous.
