Raymond Dewitt Beckham

The funeral service for Mr. Raymond Dewitt Beckham Jr., 70, of Blythewood, will be held 2 o’clock, Monday, October 24, 2011, at the Memorial Gardens of Columbia Mausoleum Chapel, 9301 Wilson Blvd, Columbia. The Reverend Bill Porter will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 o’clock, Sunday evening, at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia.

Mr. Beckham passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Dorn VA Medical Center. Born in Winnsboro, SC, Raymond was the son of the late Raymond D. and Hester Matthews Beckham. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy. Raymond graduated from the old Columbia High School, and obtained his Associate of Business Accounting degree from Columbia Commercial College. He was a plumber, and a member of Park Street Baptist Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Jade Beckham Kerns (Marty) of Blythewood; brothers, Reggie Beckham of Lexington, and Terry Beckham of Pennsylvania; two sisters, Barbara Hyatt and Carolyn Lee, both of Columbia; as well as two grandchildren, Skyla and Kyle Kerns of Blythewood. In addition to his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by three brothers, Rod, Gemelle, and Lawrence Beckham; and a sister, Emily Jackson.