Beverly J Horsley

Beverly Horsley, 85, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, with her daughters by her side in Lansdowne, Virginia. Beverly, beloved daughter of Mildred and Joe, was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and went on to become an accomplished writer and editor. She had a successful career spanning more than 25 years with the Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Service and the General Services Administration. She also worked as a freelance writer and editor during retirement.

Beverly, along with her late husband Sam, led an adventurous and full life where they refused to be constrained by convention. In 1969, with 4-year-old daughter Rebecca in tow, they quit their jobs and traveled across Europe for the greater part of a year, exploring new cultures and building friendships. They were diligent in recording their travels in a journal while also penning a number of short stories. This experience instilled a lifelong love of art and travel which they passed on to their children and grandchildren. It also led them to seek out beautiful, remote spots to reside, including their retirement home in North Captiva, Florida and summer place in Digby, Nova Scotia.

Throughout her life Beverly sought to grow and learn: she was an avid photographer developing her own film; she enjoyed taking French lessons; she was always reading; and she dabbled in music, learning to play the dulcimer and piano. Bev and Sam enjoyed bridge and Scrabble with friends and created beautiful gardens wherever they lived. In her late retirement, Beverly was an active participant in her retirement community’s “perennial champion” volleyball team and took up painting, resulting in a home canvased with small, bright pieces of art. She had a fiery spirit and a quick wit but was never boastful. Along with Sam, she was always there to support her family.

Beverly is survived by her three daughters, Rebecca, Laura and Jennifer, five grandchildren, Tanner, Haley, Garrett, Riley and Jason, her brother Bob, and her niece, Wendy. She is preceded in death by her husband Sam, her parents Joe and Mildred, her brother Kenny, and her niece Sarah. She will be immensely missed; however, we know her love and adventurous spirit will stay with us always.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2pm on Sunday, September 27 at the National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Va. For those wishing to make a donation in her memory, we suggest Capital Caring Health (Hospice)(https://capitalcaring.org/get-involved/donate/) and North Captiva Conservation (https://www.northcaptivaconservation.org/).