Rev. Melvin Mock Beeker

Rev. Melvin Mock Beeker, 87, of W. U.S. Highway 64, formerly of Belmont Road, died Thursday, May 22, 2008, at V.A. Medical Center, Salisbury. The funeral will be at 3:00 PM Sunday, May 25, 2008 at Linwood United Methodist Church by the Revs. Cindy Arnold, Don Noblitt, and Wade Wright. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Beeker was born June 7, 1920 in Davidson County, to Willie Joseph Beeker and Clara Berrier Beeker. He was a graduate of Linwood School and the school of divinity at Duke University. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he was awarded three battle stars, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star. Rev. Beeker was first licensed in 1965 and retired from the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1993. He also performed the wedding ceremonies for all of his children and grandchildren and was a charter member of the Linwood Lions Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Goss Beeker, who died December 15, 2006, his brothers: Giles Beeker, Harby “Charlie” Beeker, and his sisters: Willie Vae Plummer, Clara Mae Harkey, Edna Coppley Coates, and Anice Ediggson. Surviving are his son, Melvin “Sonny” Beeker and wife, Judy, of Mocksville; his daughters, Phyllis Leonard and husband, Lindsay, of Lexington, and Nancy Beeker of Asheville; his grandchildren, Shelly Leonard and husband, Michael B., Dana Buie and husband, Terry, Michael L. Leonard and wife, Heather, Brian Beeker and wife, Jennifer, Amy Blackwell and husband, Bobby, Sally Allen and husband, Luke; and 12 great-grandchildren; his brother, George Beeker and wife, Margaret of Lexington; his brother-in-law, Coy Eddigson of Mt. Pleasant; his special niece, Judy Wimmer, and his special nephew, Mike Beeker. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Saturday at Davidson Funeral Home and other times at the home of Dana and Terry Buie on Happy Hill Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Linwood United Methodist Church, 4700 Old Linwood Road, Linwood NC 27299