Ralph Gibson Beckerdite, Sr.

Ralph Gibson Beckerdite Sr., 77, of Gumtree Road, passed away Monday, Sept. 18, 2006. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Midway United Methodist Church, where he was a member, by the Revs. John Woods and Robin Fitzgerald. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Beckerdite was born in Midway on May 29, 1929, to Joe Boyd and Nona Faddis Beckerdite. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, Henry Gray Beckerdite. He was a farmer and lifelong resident of the Midway community and was a member of the 1947 graduating class of Midway High School, the first class to go 12 years. He particularly enjoyed being with his family and friends, whether for fish fries, Thanksgiving dinners or Saturday night get-togethers. He also enjoyed trips to the Virginia mountains, proudly described himself as "half-hillbilly," and worked the land that has been in his family for over two centuries. Farming was his passion, and he enjoyed all things associated with it. He enjoyed restoring antique John Deere tractors and participating in tractor pulls with the Old Timers Tractor Pulling Association. He also exhibited his tractors in the Parade of Power at the Southeast Old Time Thresher's Reunion in Denton as long as his health permitted. The annual Wiener Roast and Chicken Stew that he hosted to celebrate the end of tobacco season were enjoyed by his family and friends. In 1975 his farm was designated as a North Carolina Century Farm, indicating that it had been farmed by the Beckerdite family for over 100 years. He will be most remembered as a very hard worker, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and neighbor. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Levoe Hilton Beckerdite of the home; four daughters, Sandra Meadwell and her husband, Jack, of Rural Hall, Cheryl Rogers and her husband, Jay, of Winston-Salem, Kristi Hill and her husband, Marvin, of Lexington and Tammy Ellington and her husband, Malcolm, of Winston-Salem; one son, Ralph Beckerdite Jr. of Winston-Salem; one sister, Georgia Smith of Winston-Salem; 11 grandchildren, Brooke Maiello and her husband, P.J., of Cameron, N.C., Shannon Johnson of Lexington, Erin Meadwell of Rural Hall, Dustin and Kelsey Hill of Lexington, Adam and Alyssa Everhart of Winston-Salem, Gibson, Baily and Alec Beckerdite, and Ragan Ellington, all of Winston-Salem; a great-granddaughter, Alexandria Gray of Lexington; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight at Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel, and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Midway United Methodist Church Building Fund, 9795 Old U.S. Highway 52 South, Lexington, NC 27295. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of High Point Care Center for the care Mr. Beckerdite received and to friends and neighbors for their support.