Virginia L Beam

Virginia L. Beam, 81, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2008, at her home in Washington, Kan. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Washington. Pastor Randy Jellison-Knock officiated. Sheila Ouellette played the organist while Abi Sawin sang, “Amazing Grace” and “The Lords Prayer”. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Pallbearers were her grandchildren; David Gibbs, Devon Gibbs, Joseph Ochoa, Courtney Sawin, Jennifer Berg, Tyler McGown, and Cameron McGown. Virginia was born March 11, 1927, at Warrensburg, MO, the daughter of Barney and Zoe (Johnson) Cross. She graduated from Linn High School and then attended Northwest Missouri State, Warrensburg, MO, and also the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. She was a teacher at Hollenberg, Kan. and Palmer, Kan. On October 9, 1948, she married Gerald Norman Eddleman. On September 15, 1973, she married Max Beam at Belleville, Kan. He survives. Virginia was a past member of the Eastern Star. She was an active member of the Eastern Kansas Cutting Horse Association, and she was fond of her cats and Pembroke Corgi. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Francis “Max” Beam of Washington, KS; two daughters, Geri Kay Gibbs and husband Meyler, and Mary Lee Sawin and husband Lonnie, all of Washington; one step-daughter, Marilyn McGown of Tonganoxie, KS; seven grandchildren, David Gibbs and wife Kya of Olathe, KS, Devon Gibbs, Broomsfield, CO, Jennifer Berg and husband Jim of Hanover, KS, Joe Ochoa of Washington, KS, Courtney Sawin and wife Abi of Westmoreland, KS; Tyler McGown and wife Michelle of Overland Park, Cameron McGown and wife Megan, Olathe and two great-grandsons, Greyson Gibbs and Maxwell Sawin. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington, KS. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Virginia L Beam, please visit our flower store.