Mrs. Gillian Branscomb Beavers took the hand of her Precious Lord on September 22, 2010, and left behind a legacy of steadfast caring, boundless generosity, and unconditional love. Always concerned with the welfare of others and eager to help shoulder their burdens, she offered consolation and encouragement to friends, family, and total strangers alike, serving as an outstanding example to her family, and all of those who knew her. Always happy to be surrounded by loved ones, she brought strength, peace, joy, and music to all of those who spent time with her.
In 1949, Gillian earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Alabama with a major in piano and voice. Shortly thereafter, she married the love of her life, Charles A. J. Beavers, to whom she remains eternally devoted. During her lifetime in this world, Gillian delighted in volunteering with countless organizations. An active member of Canterbury United Methodist Church, she was a longtime member of the choir and the handbell choir; and she served in various capacities such as Recording Secretary of the Board of Stewards, President of the United Methodist Women, and Lay Representative to the Annual Conference of United Methodists held at Birmingham Southern. She was Chapter Advisor to the Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta for eighteen years and thoroughly enjoyed hosting their Christmas parties each year. Of her, one of the many fine young women of Alpha Gam at UAB wrote, “You have befriended, inspired, led, and been a role model for so many girls in our chapter. Possessing a love of life, you are fair, truth-seeking, gentle, kind, loving, and full of laughter. Thank you for being such a colorful, bold, fine example of a woman to me.” Gillian especially loved time spent with her dear sewing club, her friends in Pastfinders, the sweet ladies of the Bush Hills Music Club, McCoy United Methodist Church, the Fine Arts Council at Birmingham Southern, and the Leadership Board of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama. A former officer of the National Alumni Association of the University of Alabama, Gillian was an avid fan of the Crimson Tide. She also served as President of the Birmingham Bar Association’s Women’s Auxiliary, was a founding member and officer of the Millbrook Garden Club, and was a supporter of both the Birmingham Symphony and the Birmingham Music Club. Socially, she enjoyed traveling with the Birmingham Ski Club for twenty years.
Most of all, she adored her family. Her husband Charles A. J. Beavers, Sr., her mother Lucile Koster Branscomb, her father Albert Leon Branscomb, and her mother-in-law Flora Jones Beavers are all with her and Jesus in Paradise. Other family members who celebrate her life here on earth are her sister, Louise Branscomb Schenck; brother Albert Leon Branscomb, Jr.; son Charles A. J. Beavers, Jr. (Debbie); her daughters Anita Beavers Greer (Jim) and Rebecca Beavers Kissel (Ed); her grandchildren A. J. Beavers (Luci); Spence Beavers; Branscomb Beavers (Julie); Edward Kissel; Cille Kissel; Gillian Greer and Beau Greer; her great-grandchildren Jones, Clyde, Mary Nelson, and Branscomb Beavers. The family extends a special thank you to Gillian’s devoted friend, Judith Hand for the many special outings to which she treated their dear mother. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, friends honor her memory with a donation to Canterbury United Methodist Church, to the scholarship program for the Leadership Board of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama, or to the charity of their choice.
Services will be held at Canterbury United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 25th. Visitation will be in Canterbury Hall at 10a.m. with funeral services in Canterbury Center at 11a.m.
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