Eva Marie Beatty

Eva Marie Thompson Beatty longtime resident of Lincoln, NE passed away from natural causes in her sleep on March 17, 2015 at home in Allen, TX. She was able to enjoy one last bowl of her favorite vanilla ice cream earlier that night. Eva was born January 11, 1915 in Memphis, NE and this past January achieved her goal of living to 100 years of age.

Eva lived most of her first 82 years in Nebraska, primarily Lincoln. She grew up on the family farm near Ashland with her mother, father and 2 older brothers. She was the rambunctious one of the 3 children. Eva moved to Lincoln during high school in the midst of the great depression graduating from Lincoln High. After her father was stricken by a series of strokes Eva helped her mother run a boarding house throughout the 1930's. She was married in August 1942 during World War II, with the tough times the couple had to have their honeymoon suite be the attic bedroom of Eva's mother-in-law. She and her husband Elmer were longtime employees of Barkers Shoes on O St in Lincoln where he was manager. You couldn't leave Barkers with new shoes without buying a matching purse and hose from Eva. Eva was always very stylish and loved to shop, she would have her hair and nails done each week.

In 1997 Eva moved to Mississippi and later Texas to be near her daughter Sherry, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Known by her grandma nickname Gea, she had a wide variety of interests. Always starting the day with a good cup of coffee, she adored her Yorkie, Elvis and loved her rose garden and growing strawberries and tomatoes. She and Elmer would host and attend parties as well as cut a rug out dancing to Big Band and Swing music at the Elks Club. In bridge club and with her husband as partner she was quite the card player. Eva liked a little wager so her card playing was also done from time to time in casinos, and she would visit the track for the horse races.

Eva said she wasn't much of a sports fan until she was married, but she decided she would become one to spend more time with her husband. They spent many nights together at the car races around middle America, and you couldn't find a bigger fan than Eva of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, especially the football team.

Eva always had the best time with family. Being with cousins and immediate family was always a joy to her and if it also included going out to eat her day was made. A good margarita was a great way to start a trip to a restaurant with a sweet treat for dessert at the end.

Preceded in death by parents John and Queen Bess Thompson; brothers Ross and Russell Thompson; husband of 61 years Elmer E Beatty; daughter Sherry E Cotton; son-in-law Jerry Cotton. Survived by grandson Craig Cotton and granddaughter-in-law Tobye Cotton of Allen TX; granddaughters Cathy Cotton and Lana Cotton of Brandon MS and 7 great-grand-children, Zachary Cotton of Brandon MS; Michael, Molly, Daniel, Gabriel and Julia Cotton of Allen TX ; Alex Cotton of Brandon MS and a host of cousins and nieces throughout the U.S. The family would like to give special thanks to caregiver Sharon Roessler for taking such loving care of Gea. Burial and services will take place on Saturday March 28 11:00 am at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157.