Cecil Derema Beecham was born November 28, 1920 in Greenwood, Arkansas to Cecil and Lola Elmore Gilliam, she passed away February 22, 2012 in The Pink Bud Care Facility at the age of 91. She was retired after 22 years with the Greenwood School cafeteria food service and enjoyed working as one of the supervisors. “MaMa” was an anchor of strength and security for her family and was surrounded by many friends and family at her passing. Derema was a member of the First Baptist Church in Greenwood for many years.
She is survived by two daughters, Darlene Grandstaff Whitham and her husband, Lloyd and Jeannie Beecham Walker all of Greenwood; a sister, DeLois Goldsmith of Greenwood; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ida and Ed Beecham of Urich, Missouri; grandchildren, Richy Grandstaff and wife, Michelle of Greenwood, Rev. T. Ray Grandstaff and wife, Stacey of Fort Smith, Scott Walker and wife, Micki, Karen Aspinwall and husband, Chris all Greenwood; great grandchildren, Kristin Grandstaff Guinn and husband, Jake of Frisco, TX, Will Grandstaff and fiancé Rusti Green of Conway, AR, Tanner, Molly, Maggy and Landry Grandstaff, Cody Smith, Maddi Worsham, Marzie Walker; great great grandchildren, Kinsey Rylan and Dax Ryder Guinn of Frisco, TX; an aunt, Dorothy Cochran of Greenwood and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, C.O. and Lola Elmore Gilliam; husband, Raymond Lee Beecham, brother, Darrell Gilliam and wife, Marie; brother-in-law, Buddy Goldsmith; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, George and Pauline Beecham, Lloyd and Eula Martin, Theo and Alta Wagoner, Luther and Beulah Pendergraph.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2012 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with the Rev. Ronnie Deal and grandson, Rev. T. Ray Grandstaff officiating. Burial will follow at Dawson Cemetery in Milltown under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Friday from 1 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 6 – 8 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Richy Grandstaff, Scott Walker, Will Grandstaff, Christ Aspinwall, Jake Guinn, and Paul David Goldsmith. Honorary pallbearers will be Tanner Grandstaff, Cody Smith and Landry Grandstaff.
To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
Memorial contributions may be made the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), 3200 Old Greenwood Rd., Suite C, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
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