Mary Elizabeth (Lib) Beckham

Mary Elizabeth (Lib) Beckham departed this life on May 23, 2016, at the age of 74 years, 6 months, 10 days. She was born in Olive Hill, Tennessee on November 13, 1941, the daughter of Tinnie Viola Wade Beckham and the late Curtis Howard Beckham. On July 21, 1956, she was united in marriage to Billy Roy Beckham, who survives her.

Mary Elizabeth had lived in Chicago, Illinois for over 42 years and co-owned an Amoco Station and Beckham Enterprises Trucking, Inc. with her husband for over 20 of those years. She had also worked in secretarial and bookkeeping for many years. She was a member of the Houston Missionary Baptist Church and choir.

Mary Elizabeth was a long time member of the Indian Creek Family, Community and Education (FCE) Club, a service club associated with the UT Extension Office in Waynesboro and she also held the position of Survivors Chair for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Wayne County fundraiser for over 14 years. Community service and helping others was always an important part of her life and she shared this commitment with her children and grandchildren. She loved to spend time with her family and friends, cook, sew, and was an avid reader. She especially enjoyed books by author Mitch Albom.

She is survived by her beloved husband of almost 60 years, Billy Beckham of Collinwood, Tennessee; daughter, Kimberly Ruiz and her husband, Ignacio of Detroit, Michigan; granddaughters, Elizabeth Ruiz and Olivia Ruiz; mother, Tinnie Beckham of Savannah, Tennessee; brothers, David Beckham of Savannah, Tennessee and Jim Beckham of Muscle Shoals, Alabama; and a sister, Martha Lynn Davis of Savannah, Tennessee.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her sons, Roy Howard Beckham and Billy Ray Beckham; and a brother, Curtis Howard Beckham, Jr.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joe Hall and his entire staff for the wonderful care that Mary Elizabeth received from them for many years. They would also like to thank her home health care professionals Julie Garrett, Greg Hamilton and Faith Petty for the care and friendship that they provided, Wonda Turnbo for her friendship and guidance and Molly Beckham for all her assistance and friendship. The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the family and friends who gave so much of their time to care for and love Mary Elizabeth, especially Tojo and Donna Jo Casteel and Family, Pat Beckham, David Beckham, Jimmy and Robby Blaylock, and Mary Sue and Junior Vickery. All of your support, and the support of so many others in her life, has been invaluable and so appreciated.