Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 17, 1992 TAG: 9201170014
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: MT. PLEASANT, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
OBIT-BEEKS, M.
BEEKS, MARGARETMT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Miss Margaret Jerusha Beeks, 99, of 1224 Village Creek Lane, Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, January 15, 1992 at East Cooper River Hosptal. She was a retired educator having served 45 years in the public schools of South Carolina and Virginia. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant First Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. She was born at Brewerton, Laurens County, S.C., October 9, 1892 and was the daughter of the late John William Bennett Beeks and Pamela Elizabeth Clardy Beeks. She attended Brewerton School and graduated in 1915 from Limestone College with a B.A. and History Degree. Miss Beeks began her teaching career in a one teacher school and after twenty years of teaching and serving as a principal, she left South Carolina to obtain a Masters Degree at Columbia University in New York City. She came to Blacksburg in 1938 to begin her teaching career there, serving twelve years as principal of Blacksburg Elementary School. The remainder of her teaching career was at Blacksburg High School where she was supervisor of Art Education. Miss Beeks retired in 1963 and was honored that same year by having the Margaret J. Beeks School named for her. She also studied at the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Mexico, the University of Virginia, John Herron Art School, and Union Seminary. She traveled extensively, having visited 32 countries since the early 1930's. She was a member of the Allegheny D.A.R., UDC, Delta Kappa Gamma International Teachers Society, A.A.U.W. National Art Association, and the NEA. Miss Beeks was chosen to be included in the 1959 Who's Who in American Education. All her life she was active in church and community affairs. She taught the Womans Sunday School Class at Blacksburg Baptist Church for over 40 years. In 1985 she returned to South Carolina and had been residing at the Sandpiper Village Retirement Home in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. She was the last surviving member of her family. Services will be at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 18, 1992 at Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Ware Shoals, S.C. with Rev. Clayton B. Howerton officiating. Burial will be in the family plot in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Poplar Springs Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Ware Shoals. Great nephews will serve as pallbearers. It is respectfully requested that flowers be omitted and memorials be made in Miss Beeks name to the following churches; Blacksburg Baptist Church, Main St., Blacksburg, Va. 24060; Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Rt. 1, Box 141, Ware Shoals, S.C. 29692, or Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 681 McCants Drive, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464. Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.