Katherine "Betsy" Elizabeth Beam

She spent her last months at Asbury Health and Rehabilitation, on the Aldersgate Retirement Center campus, where she had been a resident for over 25 years, beginning in her new cottage. Betsy was a very active resident for many years, serving on the board for the residents' association and will long be remembered for starting a Christmas fund for the staff.

Born in Raleigh, she graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in Fine Arts. In 1948, she married Rev. Paul Vester Beam. Together, they lived in New Haven, Conn., Wilmington, NC, Richmond, VA, Scarsdale, NY, Oakboro, NC, Albemarle, NC, and Charlotte, NC. During their 23 years in Scarsdale, Paul served as the minister of the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church. In addition to being a minister's wife, Betsy was a very successful real estate broker. Over her 94 year lifetime, she has also been an interior decorator, owner/operator of a custom framing business, and a school volunteer.

She is survived by her daughters, Gail Sharp (Mrs. Ken Sharp) of Charlotte, and Ami K. Forte of Treasure Island, FL; granddaughter, Christy Masch; grandsons, Nicholas Sharp, and Evan Forte; and great-grandchildren, Sean, Cameron, and Avery Masch, Mason Sharp, and Addy, EllyKate and Scarlet Forte. She will be greatly missed by all of us.

Betsy had a kind, generous and loving spirit. She was a member of Myers Park Baptist Church. She loved music and singing, lending her rich alto voice to many choirs. She was very artistic, with a flair for color and design. Always ready for an adventure, she loved to travel and spend time with family while seeing new parts of the world.

The family will gather for a memorial service at a time and place to be determined. Any memorial gifts could be made to Crisis Assistance Ministry of Charlotte in her honor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Beam family.