Melba Pattillo Beals
Beals alikulia katika familia ambayo ilitanguliza elimu. Mama yake, Lois Marie Pattillo, alikuwa mmoja wa wahitimu wa kwanza mweusi wa University of Arkansas in 1954 ambaye amefanya kazi kama mwalimu wa kiingereza. Baba yake, Howell Pattillo, anafanya kazi Missouri Pacific Railroad. Beals' brother, Conrad S. Pattillo, served as U.S. Marshal of the Eastern District of Arkansas during the Clinton Administration|Clinton administration.