Beverly Ott Eberhard

Beverly Ott Eberhard, age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2024, surrounded by family and loved ones. Beverly touched the lives of many and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, love and care.

Born on July 21, 1938, in Louisville, Kentucky, to parents Charles Orion Jacobs and Geneva Clara Ehalt, Beverly grew up attending church and grade school at Redeemer Lutheran Church and was a graduate of Shawnee High School. On July 11, 1959, Beverly married the late, Rev. Dr. David Eberhard, and weeks later they moved to Detroit, Michigan. They were married for 56+ years and ended up calling Detroit their home.

From 1959 to 1976, Beverly, in addition to raising her five boys and husband, served the members of Riverside Lutheran Church and surrounding community with her generosity, love and compassion at a time when Detroit experienced the 1967 riots, great “white flight” and continuous racial tensions that permeated the City. After Riverside closed, Beverly became a member of Holy Trinity Polish Lutheran Church. In 1979, Beverly went to work as an office administrator at Cass Technical High School in Detroit until she retired after 15 years of service. As an example of her unselfish love to her family, it became known that all of Beverly’s earnings from Cass Tech went to pay for the college educations of her five sons.

In 1980, Beverly became a member of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church and an integral part of the growth, outreach and success of the church by serving on numerous church guilds, groups and organizations, or simply by being a welcoming presence at the church alongside Rev. Dr. David Eberhard for over 36 years. Not only was Beverly recognized by different Lutheran organizations for her leadership in the church, she was known by all for her exceptional memory, especially that of names and birthdates, as well as her devotion to sending cards in the mail on special occasions and events, which endeared Beverly to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

In Beverly’s personal life, she cherished her relationships dearly. She was a devoted mother and grandmother to her family and a loyal friend to many. Beverly enjoyed cooking, reading, shopping, traveling, hosting parties and entertaining, as she cherished being in the presence of friends and family, who brought joy and laughter to each gathering. She will always be remembered for her infamous Christmas parties, church potluck dinners and Kentucky Derby and hydroplane race parties at her homes in Detroit and Harrison Township. She also loved attending her boys’ and grandchildrens’ sporting events, musical concerts, marching band and theatre performances and other events. During the 1980’s, Beverly became the go-to “Mom” for Lutheran High School East’s football and wrestling programs in that she hosted many prized team dinners and for a span of 12 consecutive years you could find her in the stands at every football game and wrestling meet cheering on the teams and her boys. She found so much joy in watching her family do what they love, and also in being a part of these special extracurricular activities.

Beverly’s departure leaves a void in the lives of her family and friends, but her spirit will continue to live on in the memories she created and the values she instilled in those she loved. May she rest in peace, knowing that her impact on the world will be remembered fondly forever.

Beloved wife of the late Rev. Dr. David Eberhard; dear mother of Michael (Michelene), Mark (Kim), Timothy (Marcia), Paul (Becky), and David (Karin); proud grandmother of John (Amanda), Erin, Erich, Ean, Eamon, Stephaney (John), Shane, Kyle, Allison, Hannah, Sarah, Rachel, Claire, Natalie, and the late Nathan Paul; proud great grandmother of Zeva and Dasha; adored sister of Judith Rowe; cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Beverly will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, located at 30009 Hoover Road, Warren, Michigan 48093.

Funeral services for Beverly will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 1345 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48207. She will lie instate beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Historic Trinity Lutheran Church.