Boyd Beeker, Sr.

Walter Boyden “Boyd” Beeker, Sr., 80, of Center Church Road, died Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at Forsyth Medical Center following several months of declining health. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2010, at Center United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Tom King and Rev. Dr. Steven Pillsbury officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at Davidson Funeral Home Hickory Tree Chapel and other times at the home. Mr. Beeker was born April 28, 1929, in Rowan County, to Harvey Pierce Beeker and Mae Greene Beeker. He was a 1946 graduate of Welcome School, attended High Point College, graduated from Wake Forest College, and earned a Masters Degree from Appalachian State Teachers College. He was retired from the Thomasville City School System and was former principal at Southmont Elementary School. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church. Mr. Beeker served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was also a member of the Welcome Civitans, and the Memorial Lodge 473. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Ike Beeker; brother, Bill Beeker; and two sisters, Ann Chinnis and Imogene Crisman. Surviving are his wife, Jo Ann Vannoy Beeker of the home; sons, Walter Beeker, Jr. of Welcome, William Beeker and wife, Debbie, and Vann Beeker and wife, Jennifer, all of Lexington; daughter, Adelaide Beeker of Roxboro; five grandchildren, Clark Beeker, Cole Beeker, Preston Beeker, Olivia Beeker and Emerson Beeker; and sisters, Martha Williams of West River, Md., and Cynthia Blankenship of Irving Texas. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.