Wilma Bernice Johnson Beckham departed this life on Aug. 23, 2021, in her home in Mountain View, AR at the age of 95 years. She was born on Jan. 20, 1926, in a small log house in Happy Hollow, to Alonzo and Tabitha “Bithy” Shannon Johnson. She graduated high school in 1944.
She married Blake Beckham on Oct. 2, 1948, and they were married for 46 years.
She worked at the Bank of Mountain View for 34 years. She was a member of Flatwoods Baptist Church for 69 years.
She was an excellent seamstress, having made dozens of baby blankets for newborns around the community. She loved to cook and was renowned for her yeast rolls. She also played a mean game of 42 and cherished the time she spent with her fellow 42 players.
She is survived by her five children, Retha Gipson of Jonesboro, AR, David Beckham (Linda) of Mountain View, Jana Richardson (Aubrey) of Desha, AR, Donald Beckham (Robin) of Mountain View, AR, Mary Ann Eck (Chris) of Chattanooga, TN, a sister-in-law, Inez Johnson, eight grandchildren, Anthony Gipson, Matthew Gipson, Jamie Gipson Dugger, Tabitha Beckham Smith, Andrew Richardson, Eric Richardson, Cassandra Eck Landrum and Lindsey Eck, 16 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Blake Beckham; and brother, Merl Johnson.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Flatwoods Baptist Church in Mountain View, Arkansas, with Brother Joe Morell and Brother Will Thompson officiating. Pallbearers are Anthony Gipson, Matthew Gipson, Andrew Richardson, Eric Richardson, Tyler Beckham, and Wesley Smith. Burial will follow in Flatwoods Cemetery.
Bernice raised her children to revere God, value learning, work hard, and serve others. When asked the best advice for new parents, she said “read to the babies, for learning to read opens the whole world of opportunity to them.” She has left for her family a rich inheritance of faith, love, service, and knowledge of cooking, gardening, and sewing.
