Betty Mathis Beck

Published 11:52 pm Thursday, January 19, 2012

Betty Mathis Beck, of Valdosta, died Jan. 18, 2012. Born in Stockton, Ga., on June 16, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Ethel Johnson Mathis and James Edward Mathis. Mrs. Beck was a homemaker and loving wife and mother. She supported her late husband James during his years of public service as Mayor of Valdosta and member of the Georgia House of Representatives. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Seekers Sunday School Class, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Beck was a graduate of Valdosta High School and Georgia State Women’s College.

Survivors are daughters and sons-in-law, Betty Gene and Gary Birdwell of Marietta; Jenny and Riley Howard of Valdosta; and Mary Jane and Al Rakel of Tucker; grandchildren Christina (David) Nimri of Franklin, Tenn.; and James (Melanie) Upchurch of Kirkland, Washington; great-grandchildren Brynnlie Paige Upchurch and Hannah Noelle Nimri. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James M. Beck, parents, sister, Sarah Mathis Hall, and brother, Julian E. Mathis. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Langdale Place, Marsha Green, Hospice of South Georgia Nurses Maggee Davis and Stacey Foster, and special deep appreciation to her caregivers Martha Gardner, Shanique Morgan, Buffy Walton, Valerie Paul, Joyce Williams, and Wanda Hall. The family also expresses much appreciation to the dedicated caregivers who provided kind and compassionate assistance in her home: Debbie Nawolski, Annie Alderman, Jacquelyn King, Carol Greene, Christine Koon, and Candy Williamsen.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at 2 p.m. in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Bob Moon and the Rev. John McGowan will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 109 W. Valley St., Valdosta, GA 31601 or Hospice of South Georgia, 2263 Pineview Dr., Valdosta, GA 31602. The family will receive friends at Carson McLane Funeral Home this evening from 4- 6 p.m. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home.