Teresa H. Beckham

Virginia Teresa Harkins Beckham, 90, passed away peacefully with her loving family beside her on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at St. Catherine’s Village, Madison, Mississippi. Teresa was born in St. Anne’s Community in Leake County, Mississippi, on March 4, 1926, the daughter of the late Michael Patrick Harkins and Mary Susan Gee Harkins. She was the 10th of 12 children, six sisters and five brothers. Teresa attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and graduated from St. Joseph High School, Jackson, Mississippi, in 1944. She subsequently graduated from Jackson Business College.

After graduation, Teresa began working at First National Bank, now Trustmark National Bank, from 1946 to 1965. She married Oliver Wendell Waggener, Jr., on April 2, 1948. In 1962, Mr. and Mrs. Waggener opened Acme Printing Company in Jackson, Mississippi, which remains a family-owned business today. On May 15, 1978, her beloved husband of 30 years passed away as a result of a tragic accident. On August 16, 1986, Teresa married Laurier Conrad Buteau. She retired from Acme Printing Company and enjoyed only two years of laughter and joy with Mr. Buteau until his death in September, 1988. On Valentine’s Day 1997, she exchanged marriage vows with Winfield W. Beckham and lived a peaceful life of companionship with him until he passed away in September, 2014.

Teresa was raised in and loved her Catholic faith, being a member of St. Richard’s Catholic Church parish since 1961 and previously a member of St. Peter, St. Therese, and St. Mary parishes, all of Jackson, Mississippi. She was active in several groups in each parish.

Mrs. Beckham is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Oliver Waggener, Larry Buteau, and Win Beckham; brothers John P. Harkins, Robert M. (Bud) Harkins, Thomas M. (Buddy) Harkins, Sr.; sisters, Agnes Harkins Caffey, Beulah Harkins Luckett, Cyrena (Maggie) Harkins, RSM, Grace Harkins Callahan, and infant brother and sister, Bennie Harkins and Rose Harkins. She is survived by her brother, Ansley H. Harkins, and wife, June; her sister, Lalande Harkins; her sister-in-law, Barbara Kilpatrick Jones; and brother-in-law, Richard W. Fandrey, Sr. Blessed beyond measure, Teresa leaves behind five children - Jenny Waggener Anding (Mike); Mike Waggener (Kathy); Steve Waggener (Lesa); Pat Waggener (Ann); and Mary Beth Waggener McDavid (John). Her legacy includes her grandchildren, Greg and Brad Anding; Holly Anding Weldele; Tara Anding Schwartz; Amy Waggener Taylor; Molly Gee Waggener Webster; Stephen, Lauren, Colin, Dustin, Dallas and Natalie Waggener; Jason and Patrick McDavid; 15 great-grandchildren; and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She will also be

remembered by the five children of Larry Buteau and the five children of Win Beckham and their families.

Visitation will be held at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1242 Lynwood Drive, Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday, October 25th, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service. Visitation will resume at St. Richard Church on Wednesday, October 26th, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Internment will take place at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery in Clinton, Mississippi.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Catherine’s Village for the loving and excellent care given to Teresa during her stay there. They would also like to thank Gentiva Hospice for their compassionate care and support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.