Beverly Crouch Beckett

Beverly Jean Crouch (Beckett) was born on December 4th, 1925 in Savannah, Georgia as the big town clock bellowed out the time about 6:00 in the morning. When she was six weeks old her mother and father moved her and her 6 ½ -year-old sister to Jacksonville, Florida where they lived for about 3 ½ years. Beverly grew up in Foley, Florida when the Foleys moved their lumber company and built a town which they named, “Foley.” From there she went to school and graduated from Taylor County High School as the Salutatorian. Afterwards, she worked in the Legislature for a session. Next, she worked as an assistant to the Executive Secretary of the American Red Cross and then on to Washington, DC where she worked for the Judge Advocate General. After this, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida to work for the Navy Department. Later, she returned home and worked as an insurance secretary where she met her future husband, Gardner W. Beckett, Jr. After a stay in Dade City, FL while Gardner worked for the Boy Scouts of America as an Executive, they came to Gulfport, FL so Gardner could finish law school. They lived in Gulfport for 6 years. Next they moved to St. Petersburg where they owned a home for 6 years on Country Club Road, and then to a home on Elbow Lane where the family resided for 26 years. Gardner and Beverly had 5 children, Susan, Gardner, Kay, Mary, and David. Beverly was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, homemaker, and an active member and leader of Pasadena Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. Her family and her faith were cornerstones of her life. She loved her community as well. She was member of the Pasadena Woman’s Club for more than 30 years; and, an active member of the St. Petersburg Bar Auxiliary for many years. After her children were grown, Beverly worked as a broker-realtor with Gower-Goheen and later with Patriot Realty. Beverly loved to play the old southern hymns on the piano and she played bridge as a favorite pastime for most of her life. Beverly Jean Crouch Beckett, 90, formerly of St. Petersburg, FL died on November 9th in Riverview, FL. Preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Gardner W. Beckett, Jr. and her son, Gardner W. Beckett, III. Survived by daughter, Susan Beckett of Honolulu, HI; daughter, Kay Beckett Sullivan (John) of Riverview, FL; daughter, Mary Beckett Downing (Chris) of Atlanta, GA; son, David Poole Beckett of St. Petersburg; 8 grandchildren, Jonathan (Holly) of Central City, PA; Samuel Ragland of Riverview, FL; Peter Ragland of Honolulu, HI; Katharine Sullivan-Dawes (Seth) of Brooklyn, NY; Sarah Sullivan of Washington, DC; Sergey Sullivan of Riverview, FL; Matthew Downing (Danielle) of Athens, GA; Christen Downing Ornella (Anthony) of Honolulu, HI; 3 great grandchildren, Evangelia Ragland, Kainoah Ragland, both of Central City, PA and Kaili Jean Ornella of Honolulu, HI; 2 beloved sisters, Betty Lou Hendry of Perry, FL; Marie Williams of Jacksonville, FL; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial will be held Wednesday, November 30th at 3:00 pm, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 100 Pasadena Avenue N., St. Petersburg, FL. Internment will be at Woodlawn Memory Gardens, St. Petersburg. Funeral arrangements by Beach Memorial Chapel, 301 Cory Avenue, St. Petersburg Beach, FL; (727) 360-5577. For photograph, condolences, and biography, please visit beachmemorial.com In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pasadena Presbyterian Church (100 Pasadena Avenue N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710) or to Winthrop Arts, Inc. (P O Box 2638, Brandon, FL 33509).