In Loving Memory of Mary L. Beckwith

Mary L. Beckwith

Sunrise: November 9, 1928

Sunset: April 15, 2025

Mary was lovingly known as Mimi and Mama Mary. She was born in Arkansas to the parents of Leander Bailey and Sadie Oliver Bailey. Her life was long, fulfilled, blessed, and she was faithfully committed to the service of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Early Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025, she heard the call from God and she answered by saying, “Lord, I’m ready.” She closed her eyes and awoke with Jesus. Another beautiful flower graces the Heavenly Garden.

Mary was a born again Christian in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She transferred her membership from Avery Chapel A.M.E. Church, Memphis, Tennessee to Walker Chapel AME Church in Seattle, Washington in 1975, and continued serving by transporting children to Sunday School. She continued teaching Church School at Walker Chapel AME Church in Renton, WA up to the age of 90 years old in 2018.

Mary was highly organized, dedicated, and a faithful Christian, who used her skills in teaching and serving before she retired. She held many positions in the church: Stewardess Board, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Steward, Women’s Missionary Society, Sunday School Teacher, Prayer Band, Vacation Bible School, Children’s Special Programs, Church News Reporter, Chairperson Annual Conference Planning, District Steward, Delegate to Annual Conference and Delegate to General Conference.

Before moving to Seattle, Mary worked as a classroom teacher in the Arkansas Public Schools from 1950-1975; Order Clerk (part-time) at Sears in Memphis, TN from 1973-1975. In Seattle she worked as a Substitute Teacher in the Seattle Public Schools; Office Clerk for U.S. Department of Commerce; Property Clerk and Inventory Control Manager for Pacific Medical Hospital and Classroom Teacher at Mount Zion Preschool in Seattle, WA.

Mary thanked God for the privilege of serving and looked forward with great anticipation to the fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Revelation 2:10 “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of Life.”

She was a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin, and Friend; and when she was able she enjoyed traveling to visit with her family.

Mary was preceded in her homegoing by her parents Leander and Sadie Bailey, husband Jeremiah Beckwith, Sr., son Larry Eugene Bailey, Freddie Lee Beckwith, Jeremiah Beckwith, Jr. James Henry Beckwith, sisters and brothers Ruthy Belle, Odelsia, Irmaline, Susie Lee, Amelia, James Monroe, Emma Maxine & John Westley.

Mary L. Beckwith is survived by her daughters Jean Beckwith-Davis, Geraldine Candi Beckwith-Jones (Allen), Gail Marie Harrington (Richard), Carole Ann Beckwith; son David Wayne Beckwith; Sister-in-law Marceil Bailey; Daughter-in-law Doris Bailey; 12 grandchildren Valerie Diane (Lewis), Anitra Mona, Larry Dekaven (Anna),   Toni Antoinette (Ellis), Jeremy Harold (Katrina), Shana Johari, Keith Darnell (Meldora), Gina Renee, James, Alex, Kneishia Lanee (Devon), Alfred Kyle (Katie)  20 great grandchildren Dionna Reese, Tonia Renai (Wale), Jeremy Katrell, James, Alex, Kneishia Lanee (Devon), Alfred Kyle (Katie),Westley Jordon, Nicoye Trebor, Anthony Lee, Leroy Antwaan, Jovione Donuell, Anitra Tinaja, Ava Marie, Kason Isaiah, Donovan, Jeremiah Antonio, Zamira Geneva Rose, Dakari, Kashus William, 8 great great grandchildren Daryl Anthony Reese, Zion Lee, Valerie Lydia, Corbyn, Carter, Josi, Jovione Jr., Josiah and a host of nieces and nephews.

 Service: 12:00 noon 4/28/2025 Greenwood Memorial 350 Monroe Avenue NE Renton, WA 98056

Repast: 4/28/25 Walker Chapel AME Church 2400 East Valley Road Renton, WA 98057