Grammer...words simply cannot express how much you meant to me, & to the entire family you created. So many of my greatest memories were of times spent with you, in the company of your love. You always used every opportunity you had to spoil us grandkids with pure happiness in every conceivable way. From Busch Gardens in Tampa, to Legoland in San Diego, to Cardinal's baseball in St. Louis, to the Berklee College of Music in Boston for my college audition, to ultimately introducing me to the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii...our final vacation together. It was never about the trips themselves,  but rather the invaluable quality time I was blessed to have spent with the greatest Grandmother in the entire universe. But perhaps the fondest of memories were always at your house with the rest of the family. So many late nights staying up watching TV & playing video games with the cousins in the living room, always keeping our young bellies full of food, & smiles on our faces. "Call me," you always said to me jokingly as I grew older over the years...referring to how I would always say those words to you, in tears, every single time I had to leave your house & return home throughout my childhood. I could never stand to leave Grandma's house, my sanctuary. Even as an adult, I found myself staying as late as possible after all the family Holiday gatherings. It was always just so difficult to leave your presence. I'll never forget your love...how you would hold me for such long periods of time, squeeze my hands tight as we would sit & talk. You had such an immeasurably unique way of making all of us grandkids feel so incredibly special. You were enamored by all of our individual identities, always giving us so much care & attention in your presence, & we were equally enamored by you. I know you will be with us all, watching over...& for that reason, I will never hesitate to "call you." May your precious soul finally rest in peace, free at last. I love you forever  & always.

Memorial Service Concluded:
TAKE AWAY: 
    Thank you for being here today.  I want you to know that the family is so thankful for your presence during this difficult time.  However, the days ahead may even be more difficult when there is a celebration or holiday and Elizabeth is not there. They need to hear from you during those times.  As you leave today, I want you to do me a favor and take one of these items with you.  There are slot machine coins, poker chips, and a note card with her name and dates under a picture on one side of a slot machine showing 3 cherries and on the other side a picture of a Starbucks Misto.  Place it somewhere so that you will notice it and when you do, take a moment to text, e-mail, or call and share a story about Elizabeth.  It will mean the world to them.
    
INVITATION TO RECEPTION  
  As you leave today, please join the family for some food and refreshments in the reception room in the main building of the funeral home.  This is a time of fellow-shipping, sharing stories and memories, and listening to great music... Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Don Ho, Tammy Wynette/George Jones, Charlie Rich, Frank Sinatra (a playlist of Elizabeth's favorite songs played). 
Closing Song: 
     Our closing song is sung by Jinna and the Midlothian High School Acapella Choir and was recorded by her Choir Director especially for her Grandmother’s service.  “I’m Goin' Up A Yonder”.  After the song has concluded, you may come to the front and visit with the family or head on down to the funeral home and enjoy the reception.  


    Memorial Service Continued:
 As we reflect back on the beginning of this Celebration of Elizabeth’s life, there is no doubt that her life was fulfilling and well lived.  At this time, I want to take a moment and give you the opportunity to share a story or memory or maybe just a word to help complete this picture of Elizabeth’s life.
SHARING:
 	Jinna--speaks
 	Jacob--speaks
 	Melissa: Letter submitted
        Matthew: Letter submitted
Elizabeth Ann Beck began her journey to eternal life on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at the age of 84.
    Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents; Daniel and Mildred Norris, her husband of 62 years; George E. Beck Jr., and brother; William D. Norris.
     Those left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are son David Beck (Sunny), daughter Debbie Lusk (Sean), son Steve Beck (Lu Ann), daughter Karen Griffin (Steve), daughter Terri Windsor (Joe), 15 grandchildren; Shannon, Shaun, Jeremy, Micheale, Blake, Nathan, Dylan, Austin, Lexi, Matthew,  Melissa, John, Gage, Jacob, and Jinna, 11 great grandchildren; Corbin, Jay, Jersey, Quinn, Riggs, Cade, Cole, Reed, Boston, Blakely, and Turner, sister-in-law; Ann Norris and many other loving family members and dear friends.
     In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

SONG:  “How Great Thou Art” Billy Graham & Crusade Choir
BIBLE/23RD PSALM
I want to share a scripture with you but before I do, I want to let you know something about the Bible itself.  Some mistake it for a religious rule book.  But it is not!  It is an amazing relationship love story about a God who loves you and simply asks, “Will you love me back?”  And the result of saying yes, God says, “You will live with me forever!”
PRAYER/LORD’S PRAYER




Memorial Service Continued:
I want to share a few descriptive words that some of the family shared with me as we talked about the character traits Elizabeth possessed;
 	Gage says she was a very adventurous spirit always wanting to go places and experience life, like the times she would go to Cubs games while skipping school. She was joyous, caring and extremely loving and loved seeing her grandkids happy!
 	Jinna says she was down-to-earth, sacrificing, selfless, lively eager, and witty.  I might add one other person said she absolutely loved to laugh and have a good time!
 	Jacob said when he thinks of grandmother, he thinks of “A ray of hope and joy and everlasting happiness”
 	Other descriptive words were caring, devoted, and life of the party.
 	One other remark was how personal and in the moment she was. Her son-in-law, Joe said that she would make you feel like you were the most important person in the world when you were with her. She would do something special just for you when it was a special day like your birthday. 
 	We also talked about her generosity.  We already have seen that with traveling and shopping, but the story goes that even when you came to visit her, you always left with something.  If it was Steve, who lived close by, it might be food that she had saved in the refrigerator for him, for others as well it might be food or some kind of trinket.  We roared when they shared the time Terri was leaving and Elizabeth was looking all over for something to send with her and finally resorted to a can of food from the pantry!
      


Memorial Service Continued:
I hope you have heard a consistent theme as we have shared the things that Elizabeth loved to do; family was involved as often as possible whether it was travel, food, shopping, animals and even Starbucks!   She loved her family and was so proud of every one of them and she had a right to be.  David went to TCJC and UTA and had a career with AT& T before retiring.  He also had spent 9 years of military service with the United States Navy.  Debbie went to UTA and received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and still has her own business where she is licensed to deal with people who have a chemical dependency.   Steve also attended UTA and recently retired from the Everman School District where he coached and taught for 37 years @ Everman Highschool, Karen attended TCJC and Texas Tech and has been a project manager with AT&T for 25 years, and Terri went to Texas Tech and UTA and retired from Baylor Medical Center in Dallas after a 30 year career as a Registered Nurse & Nurse Supervisor. Elizabeth’s five children extended the family with 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, all who made her very proud. And you can include all the spouses in that list as well!  
   



Memorial Service Continued:
An example of her total love for her family was her love for babysitting her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was always willing for them to come over to her house. One person commented that the kids would often prefer to stay at their Grandmothers because they felt right at home there.  And there were times when some so hated to leave.  I tried to get a picture in my mind when they related how one of the grandchildren, John, would be in his car seat and would say to his Grandmother as they would be leaving, “Please call me”!  There were also times when you might find one of the grandchildren crying all the way home saying “I love my grandma” because leaving her was so hard! And she had so many different names; grandmother, grammar, ganboo, gg, grandma and even mom was one.
     And we cannot leave out her love for Starbucks, especially her Breve Misto.  Now that may have been an addiction.  We got a big kick when one of the kids mentioned she should have bought a lot of stock in Starbucks as often as she went there.
     



Memorial Service Continued:
She also loved to shop!  Really shop!  One of the kids commented that she was not a gambling addict but she was close to being an addict when it came to shopping, in fact the comment was, “it gave her a rush”!  And it wasn’t just for herself, she loved to buy for whoever was with her and she loved taking her kids and grandkids with her. Going to Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth to shop at the BX and eat at the food court. And of course she was always asking those with her what she could get for them.  
     Elizabeth also had a great way with dogs and she loved them very much; her own or even her kids’ dogs.  She was given the nickname “Dog Whisperer” because every single dog seemed to like being near her.  Steve remembers the time he asked her who she would choose if she had to make a choice between her dog Bessie and him.  I am not exactly sure of her words but it was something to the affect, “I would be sorry to see you go Steve!’  


Memorial Service Continued:
Another one of her loves was food!  Cooking and eating out were things she loved.  The buffet was definitely an added bonus when she went to the casino! She absolutely loved the buffet! Often times she would receive her room and meals at no cost or at a reduced cost because of her frequenting the casino so often. And the buffet was an extra “win” for her.  She might even call one of the family and relate every item that was on the buffet.  Just like the other things that she enjoyed, those trips were the best when family was with her.  And eating at the buffets was not the only time she liked to eat out.  She loved many local restaurants as well, Red Lobster being her favorite.  You could find her at Macaroni Grill, Cracker Barrel, Mimi’s Café, and Jason’s Deli or maybe Luby’s, if George was with her. And she was determined and adamant that she would be paying for the meal if you were eating with her. And her reason for eating out had nothing to do with her cooking ability.  She was an amazing cook.  She just loved eating out.  Even when the kids were younger, Friday nights were often nights eating at Colonial Cafeteria (a special treat for her kids), but every other night, the family ate dinner at home.  And when she cooked, it was always delicious and amazing. She had spent time in Chicago in an Italian neighborhood and had learned to cook many different forms of Italian food.  Her “lasagna and spaghetti were like no other”!  Everyone would request that when it was their special day, like a birthday!  And it wasn’t just Italian food, she was a master at cooking just about anything and everything!     

   Memorial Service Continued:
  Elizabeth enjoyed a fulfilling life doing a variety of things that she loved. Above everything, her favorite thing to do was spend time with her family and she tried to involve them with her in as many things as she could.  One of her very favorite things to do was to travel.  Her career with American Airlines afforded her many opportunities to do that and often be able to take members of her family with her.  She absolutely loved it when her children or grandchildren could accompany her.  One of her favorite places to travel was Hawaii.  She had first experienced Hawaii when George was doing R&R.  
     Another one of her favorite travel locations was Las Vegas, as it provided an opportunity to experience another one of the things she loved to do, gamble.  She would make some trips to Tunica and Winstar as well, but Las Vegas was her favorite.  One reason was that she felt safe even if she was there by herself.  But, we laughed as we remembered one of the main reasons she loved Las Vegas was that she had great luck there. She could tell you how much she had won, but never revealed how much she had spent to win that much!  You always knew where to find her because she had her favorite machine, maybe because the magic of rubbing the screen seemed to work, and she would stay there and play as long as she could.  You might have to force her to leave by getting her to cash out or get something to eat.  But it was not always easy to get her to leave the first time you asked her.  I laughed when David shared how he would ask her to go get something to eat or go to the gift shop or whatever thing he could think of to get her off the machine and she would answer, “okay, in just a minute” while never taking her hands off the machine but yet looking straight at him!  He might have to repeat that request several times before getting her to move! Elizabeth also enjoyed the shows in Las Vegas. 

Memorial Service Continued:
George would retire from the United States Army after 21 years of having served in both Korea and Viet Nam.  His military career would take the family to several different locations including, Memphis, San Antonio, Munich, South Carolina, Columbus, Fort Benning, to name a few.  His final stop would be in Fort Worth.  He ended his military career serving the ROTC program at TCU.  That position gave him the opportunity to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and then begin his 2nd career as a family counselor.  He worked with several schools in Parker County as each school was not able to have their own counselor.  George was somewhat a workaholic and enjoyed his work.  Elizabeth had never learned to drive but did so during one of George’s overseas assignments.  She had stayed home when the children were younger but then entered the work force once the youngest was in school!  Elizabeth would work in the purchasing department for the Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital, then for Dr. Biggs as a bookkeeper, before getting her associates degree from TCJC.  After studying at the University of Texas at Arlington, she went to school to become a travel agent and then enjoyed a career that she loved with American Airlines.
     

   Memorial Service Continued:
  The dash of Elizabeth Ann Norris began on November 18, 1934 in Breese, Illinois being the first child of Daniel and Mildred Norris.  She was the older of their two children, having a younger brother, Bill.  Her father was a postmaster while her mother found work in a bomb factory in Chicago.  This was the time period known as the Great Depression and times were not easy for so many.  (Share depression stories—tough life as they would go back and forth to Chicago). Elizabeth would graduate from Wells High School in Chicago, Illinois.  She found work as a union steward, a position she was very proud of, at the Zagnut Candy Factory. On a return trip from visiting her Aunt Bea in Houston, she would meet George Beck at a bus stop in Chicago.  He had been wounded in Korea and was doing R&R there.  That was the beginning of their love story as they started dating, would marry on February 27, 1954, and they would remain married for the next 62 years until George’s passing in 2016.  They would have five children; David, born on August 2, 1954 in Memphis, Tennessee, Debbie, born on August 1, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, Steve, born on August 15, 1957 in Munich, Germany, Karen, born on September 13, 1958 in Columbus, Georgia (born at home with George helping deliver her), and Terri, born on June 7, 1962 in Fort Benning, Georgia.  We laughed as it was mentioned that Elizabeth and George had that part of marriage down pat!

Memorial Service Continued:
"A Life Well Lived"
A life well-lived is a
precious gift of hope
and strength and grace
from someone who has made
our world a brighter, better place.
It’s filled with moments sweet and sad,
with smiles and sometimes tears,
with friendships formed
and good times shared
and laughter through the years.
A life well-lived is a legacy of joy
and pride and pleasure,
a loving, lasting memory
our grateful hearts will treasure.
SONG:  “Amazing Grace” Elvis Presley



Memorial Service for Elizabeth A. Beck on September 22, 2019
Held at Laurel Land Funeral Home—Fort Worth, Texas
Jim Ater, Certified Celebrant & Funeral Director and Orator of Elizabeth’s Memorial Service. Jim was kind to send the family a copy of the Memorial Service that was shared for her service:
Beginning of Service:
“On behalf of the family, thank you for being with us today as we remember and honor the life of Elizabeth Beck.  We gather today because that’s what we do. It is human nature, when someone we love is no longer with us, to stop, to carve out a sacred space, to remember, to reflect and to gather the memories up in a safe place so the person we lost will always be with us. This is the most important first step on the long and winding path of the grief journey and today is part of the grief process that we go through when someone we loved dearly is no longer with us physically.  Whatever you are feeling, it is important to remember that every life is special, every life makes an important mark on the world, every life is to be cherished and celebrated.  Together we will exhale the sighs of sadness that she is gone and share joyful whispers that she was a part of our life.  We will shed tears today because she is no longer with us but we will also shed tears of joy because of how she impacted our lives. I believe that both kinds of tears are healing tools.  I am so honored to be with you today because we want to do more than remember and honor Elizabeth’s life, we want to celebrate a life that was well-lived.  And we celebrate today because Elizabeth’s passing was not the end for her.  In a song by David Phelps, he says that death is not the end, but really is the end of a beginning that has no end. And that is cause for us to celebrate Elizabeth’s life today!”





To My Mother,
I am not sure how I can put a lifetime of memories into a paragraph but these words that I share I hope will speak volumes. My Mother gave so much of herself to her family and loved like no other person I know.  Mom always had a unique way to share her time and unconditional love with all her children/grandchildren/great grandchildren each and everyday and I know they all have so many fond memories ...way to many to tell.  I am so blessed that my children had that opportunity to have such a close relationship with their grandparents and were able to build so many wonderful memories together.  I loved that she was the "Real Deal"....loving, caring, giving, thoughtful, traveler, traditional, encouraging, best babysitter, sometimes hard headed, hard working, patient and loved her politics-Republican (that's for you MOM). I am honored to be her daughter and to call My Mother "My Best Friend".  I will miss those daily calls..she would answer with "Hi Sweetheart..Did you Ring My Bell?" and then laugh, our travels, road trips, family stories, Holidays at Mom & Dad's house, Mom's home cooking, trips to Starbuck's, shopping at Carswell AFB, beauty shop, shopping at the mall, and of course eating at our favorite restaurants.  I have learned so much from you and I hope with all that you have taught me I can continue your legacy by fostering that same atmosphere you surrounded us all with that is "Full of Love".  One day again I will Ring Your Bell and when you answer we will be together again. 
I love you MOM 
Karen 

The first trip I took with my mother in law was to Hawaii.  Terri and I were working hard on building our family with no results to show for our efforts.  Mother Beck told us, not asked, but told us, we were coming with her to Hawaii to relax and enjoy ourselves.  We accepted right away.  I had never traveled with her so i really didn't know what to expect but was ready for the adventure.  The trip could not have been any different from my expectations.  In typical Mom Beck style, everything was perfect, starting with bag check at the airport, to the magnificent hotel, to the Luau party on the beach.  Everything was amazing.  She was so happy to see us having fun.  That was my mother in law, that was my mother.  She wanted everyone she came in contact with to have fun.  She was a very generous, giving person and I loved being in her presence.
In the last months of her tremendous life, I was fortunate to have several wonderful conversations with her.  We talked a lot about current events but what got her going was anything  surrounding politics.  Yes politics - go figure.  I love and miss my mother - my Mother Beck.

Comments read at the Memorial Service from Gage, Jinna, & Jacob;
	Gage says she was a very adventurous spirit always wanting to go places and experience life like the times she would go to Cubs games while skipping school. She was joyous, caring and extremely loving and loved seeing her grandkids happy!
 	Jinna expresses  she was down-to-earth, sacrificing, selfless, giving, lively, eager, and witty.  
 	Jacob said when he thinks of grandmother, he thinks of “A ray of hope and joy and everlasting happiness”!
 	Other descriptive words were caring, devoted, and life of the party. I might add one other person said she absolutely loved to laugh and have a good time!


 Letter read at the Memorial Service from Matthew:
“Grammer showed me the world outside of Texas, taking me on trips from the east to west coast and beyond. She conditioned me to always dress nice on flights and to this day I always where pants when I travel.  She always did whatever she could to show the grandkids how much she loved them, from always cooking their favorite food (chicken and rice), to buying a PlayStation and video games for everyone to enjoy during the holidays, to letting us run all around the upstairs and attic, even if Grandad said no.  She introduced me to coffee, offering me one of the Starbucks bottled frappuccinos on a trip to Galveston.  She always trusted me, letting me walk the streets of Honolulu by myself at 11 to go grab ice cream at Haagen Dazs. She always made nights over at Grammer’s some of the best nights away from home. Always letting us rent whatever movies and games we wanted, letting us pick up food anywhere we wanted, but usually at cousins BBQ, and staying up all night to talk”.



  Letter read at the Memorial Service from Melissa:
“My grandmother, or as I lovingly referred to her as Grammer, was an amazing woman. I have so many fond memories of her, from attempting to play matchmaker for me, to her bringing me her famous lasagna all the way to my house when I was sick, to taking me on so many amazing vacations, to all the holidays that she put so much time and effort into making perfect and bringing us all together. Of all the many memories the one that is most important to me is the way she always made me feel... special. I always felt Grammer’s unconditional love and support. She was so proud of me and she always let me know this. I think what made her even more amazing was that she made each of her children and grandchildren feel the exact same way, just as special and loved. She was the definition of family and she never missed an opportunity to celebrate each and every one of us. She gave me so many good memories, laughter, and that love that will last a lifetime.” 



September 23, 2019
Mom and Dad's Inurnment of their ashes.
Burial at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery.
Mom and Dad were buried together. They were placed side by side, with our mother placed at our father's left side, next to his heart.
We loved and will continue to love you both.
Your loving children,
David, Debbie, Steve, Karen, and Terri
 

My Dearest Mother,
Oh how many memories I could share! I was so blessed to be you and Dad's daughter. I smile when I think of how I earned the nickname "worm", because no matter where you were sitting and even if there was no room to sit by you, I could somehow "worm" my way in and end up right by your side, where I belonged. I think of a time when I was too young to go play with my older siblings down at the creek, and I cried and cried. But you picked me up and sat me at the counter and told me it's okay because you and I will have our own fun, we will bake a cake together. That's what you would do mom, always try to make each one of us happy. You were absolutely the best Grandmother my children could have ever had. They carry such wonderful memories of you and dad. Memories of all holidays and celebrations and hold in their hearts that you were the center to all of it. I will always treasure that gift you gave to all of us. You, my dearest mother, were always there for me and you (your strength, your beauty, and your forever unconditional love) will always remain with me. 
I love you,
Terri

During Christmas two years ago at Micheale and Brandon's house I sat down next to Grandma and asked her, "Grandma, do you ever just look at everyone here and think about how all of this is possible because of you?"
She responded, "Well yea, of course....and that's why everyone is so damn good lookin too!"

The absolute sweetest, most loving, and BEST grandmother a grandchild could ever ask for. I am incredibly blessed to have so many wonderful memories and valuable life lessons taught to me by her.  From traveling, cooking, church, shopping, walks, holidays, family gatherings, casinos, music- to bed time stories, back scratches, and just simple hugs around the neck. I will always cherish the comfort and security she brought to me. As well as the unconditional love, support, her giving nature, her love for her family, and the laughs we shared. Her love was unparalleled to any other. She is truly missed by us all and was so very special to each of us. 



My Mother-a loving human being in all areas whether it was her family, her dogs, her friends or coworkers. She taught me so much-one is the value of unconditional love and forgiveness. Mom not only gave me life she sacrificed to keep me alive. She was always present in my life, no matter where I was, she was there, ever reminding me that she loved me no matter what. I will carry her in my heart and soul everyday and I will be as close to what she stood for as I am capable of being.  All the times we spent together will never be forgotten and I truly believe she's with dad and all her animals right now giving as much love there as she did here. I love you always mom.

OBITUARY

Elizabeth Ann Beck

18 November, 1934 – 25 August, 2019

Laurel Land Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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