Faye Marie (Branson) Beasley was born on October 25, 1932, near Raymondville, MO in a house built by her father, George Washington Branson, which is still standing on the same property where she lived her entire life. She passed on to her eternal reward in Heaven on September 25, 2024, after a period of hospital and hospice care. While attending grade school at Friendship School, where she walked to school across pasture and hayfields, she met the love of her life, Verlin Beasley, who also walked two miles to school through the woods. After several years of friendship and dating, they were married on April 7, 1951, being very blessed with over 73 years of marriage. With both of them being from very large families, they took every opportunity from their very busy work lives and raising an ever-increasing family of five children, to visit relatives in Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, and other places to enjoy life to its fullest, and be involved in every facet of their children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school lives and activities as much as possible.
After graduating from Houston High School in 1950, she attended Draughon’s Business College in Springfield while dating Verlin, and he would usually take her there then pick her up for weekend visits back home in his 1949 Ford. After marriage, she helped run the country store started by her father near his house, and they began their family, while living in the back of the store, until Verlin built their new house beside the store in 1963. After closing the store, she began her long career of 33 years with the United States Postal Service, working in Rolla, Lenox, and then as Postmaster at the Raymondville office from 1981 until her retirement in 1992. She and Verlin were able to attend a postal convention in Hawaii in 1991. Her family and her church were her most important things in life, she attended Friendship Church, then Raymondville Methodist Church, where she was church treasurer for 33 years, and in later years attended the Raymondville Community Church. She could always be counted on for her excellent pies and delicious food for church suppers or to take to a grieving family in times of loss. She was always very involved in community betterment fundraising activities, a member of the Blue Heaven Club for many years, and also the Gideon’s Ladies Auxiliary for 30+ years. She loved to sew and make quilts for the family members, which will be cherished. Another memory that her family teased her is that her primary doctor was Dr. Pepper, as you never had to ask her what she wanted to drink. She always took great pride in the fact and wanted everyone to know that her great-uncle Reuben Branson started the town of Branson, MO. She and Verlin greatly enjoyed attending shows in Branson whenever possible.
Nothing made her happier than having all her family and large extended family together for holidays, reunions, or any time possible, where all were greeted with a big smile and a hug, and a fixing enough food to feed an army. If anyone else showed up during mealtime, they were soon included in the crowd at the table, and if anybody ever left her house with an empty stomach, it definitely wasn’t her fault. It was very important to her for all family members to get together for Christmas, and in recent years with family numbered over 50, the house would be bursting at the seams, but there was always room for one more. For a benefit auction for her son Roger’s health problems, she made six pies which brought over $100 each, and anybody that ever ate any of her pies would say, they were worth that and more.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; five sisters; and oldest son, Roger in 2018. She is survived by her husband, Verlin; children, Beverly (Ron) Ely, Dennis (Lynn) Beasley, Danny (Debbie) Beasley, and Denise (Steve) Pemberton; daughter-in-law, Connie; 12 grandchildren, Jason (Bonnie) Beasley, Jeff (Jerica) Beasley, Justin Beasley, Chris (Laura) Ely, Mike (Trish) Ely, Aaron (Rachel) Ely, Tami (Steve) Gates, Phillip Beasley, Dustin Beasley, Kassy Adams, Megan (Kirk) Backus, and Stephanie (Joe) Miller; 25 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Alex, Kyson, Kayzlynn, Kessler, Kenadi, Samson, Bentley, Cyrus, Paisley, Scarlett, Devin, Brendan, Andrew, Brynn, Loren, Ann, Steve, Matthias, Sophie, Malachi, Declan Gideon, Theodore, and Ava; as well as a host of relatives and friends from coast to coast who were very blessed to know her at some point in their lives.
Her life is best described in Proverbs 31, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies, her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She is clothed in strength and dignity. She watches over the affairs of her household. Her children arise and call her blessed. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise.” She will be remembered for her love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Evans Funeral Home in Houston, Missouri. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on September 28, 2024. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Gideons Ministry, in care of Evans Funeral Home, or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Evans Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.evansfh.com.
