BECKHAM, Ethel (Dixie)

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, Arizona Saturday, April 19, 2014 Ethel "Dixie" Newell Beckham, 89, of Gilbert, AZ passed away March 28, 2014. A Celebration of her life will be held at Gilbert 1st United Methodist Church, 331 S. Cooper Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85233, at 2 p.m. on April 26, 2014. Please visit www.falconerfuneralhome.com for more details. ~~~~~~~~~ Falconer Funeral Home, Gilbert, Arizona Ethel Newell (Dixie) Beckham grabbed her wings and flew to heaven on March 28th 2014 to join her husband Alvin Beckham, her parents Clifton Clement and Rosa Newell Winstead, her brothers C.C (Bubba) Winstead and Bill Joe Winstead and her sister Frances (Lady Bug) Winstead. She is survived by her brothers Jim Winstead and wife Sandy of Greensboro, N.C. and Robert (Skippy) and wife Dot of Raleigh, N.C. Also survived by sister-in-laws Alta R. Winstead of Roxboro, N.C. and Mary Lou Atchison of Prescott AZ. Lots of Nieces, Nephews, Family and Friends who love and miss her. There are 25 Grand children and 24 ½ Great grand children who mourn the loss of their Nana and Great Nana. Her children Brenda Walag (Al), Gene Beckham (Donna), Harrison Beckham, and Fran McBride (Robbin) miss and love her the most. She was a wonderful, caring, Mom who loved us for who we are. Best roll model which is a tough road to follow sometime. I learned she left home at age 26 she said to find the man of her dreams. They met on a blind date were married July 3rd, 1952. She then became a mother of 4 children. Lived in Phoenix & Tempe 1952-1974, Cottonwood AZ. for 32 yrs then moved to Gilbert AZ for 8yrs. She beat cancer twice but her heart was too tired to keep beating so she took her last baby step and a leap of Faith into the arms of her Lord Jesus Christ. A Celebration of her life will be held at her Gilbert 1st United Methodist Church, 331 S. Cooper Rd. Gilbert, AZ.. 85233 at 2 P.M. on April 26th, 2014. Thank you Lord for giving us Your Best. We Love and miss you so much mom.