Merrie Meadows Beckham

    “A wife of noble character who can find?” Our beautiful, glorious, vivacious Merrie Meadows Beckham was
born in Oakland, California, February 18, 1928 to Charles Washington and Frances Lowell Meadows. She was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday September 5, 2024 at the age
of 96. She is survived by her beloved family: faithful and loving husband of 70 years, C.T. “Sparkey” Beckham; devoted children, Wendy Doran (Mark), Stacey Beckham Lake Gould (John), Blake Beckham, and Dr. Grant (Diane) Beckham; spectacular grandchildren, Blake (Kyra) Doran, Barrett (Cate) Doran, Hayley (Matt) Singletary; Walter Foxworth, Fontaine Foxworth, Margaux Foxworth; Scott Lake, Monica (Tom) Millington, Sophie (Michael) Abatemarco, Grant Lake; Maddie Beckham, Blake Beckham, Jr., Fisk Beckham; Noah Beckham, Maggie Beckham; 8 adorable great-grandchildren, Chandler, Josephine, Landry, Hayden, Remi, Beckham, Cruz, and Violet; dear in-laws Josh Beckham, Cookie Puckett, Margene Beckham, and Jack Foxworth; and numerous nieces and nephews. Merrie was preceded in death by her cherished daughter, Sara Beckham Foxworth.
    Merrie was a breathtaking, blue-eyed California beauty who grew up in the hills of Berkeley. She began her speaking career doing funny monologues in high school at the suggestion of her choir teacher. Merrie
quickly blossomed into a star and was always the one chosen to be on stage. God used her talent as a ministry to entertain and encourage audiences of all ages with her wisdom, quick wit and sparkling personality! She continued public speaking her entire life, even into her nineties.
    Merrie is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Class of ‘50, and was elected Permanent Class Secretary. After graduation, she went to work for Standard Oil in San Francisco. Merrie met and married dashing U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Sparkey Beckham, a 1949 Baylor graduate, while he was stationed in
California at Travis Air Force Base. Wendy was born there shortly after their 1st anniversary and then they
moved to Sparkey’s hometown of Lamesa, Texas. Sara, Stacey and Blake were born while in Lamesa, and
then they settled in Dallas where Grant was born. There they began their remarkable legacy of service to the community. Joining Park Cities Baptist Church, Merrie was instrumental in launching the first Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS, now known as MOMCO) group in north Texas. Merrie’s passion was building loving
families by mentoring young mothers to love and serve their husbands and raise their children to love Jesus.
In 2000, she was honored by the MOPS International as Mentor of the Year at their national convention in
Orlando, Florida.
    Merrie served in the NearlyWeds ministry at Park Cities Baptist Church. Providing wise counsel for over thirty years, she encouraged loving in-law relationships. Choosing JOY over criticism, she taught parents-
in-law to say her famous line: “That’s great!” to their young couples. She practiced what she preached by
honoring and valuing her children’s spouses and loving them as her own.
    Merrie was honored by Baylor’s President Abner McCall as the first “Alumni by Choice” Award Winner and became the keynote speaker for the next 35 years. Dr. McCall bestowed upon her the title of “Baylor Beauty.” She was awarded Baylor’s W.R. White Meritorious Service Award and the Baylor Women’s Council Woman of Distinction Award. In 2020, Merrie and Sparkey were awarded the Russell Perry Free Enterprise Award by Dallas Baptist University in honor of their spirit of generosity and service to the community.
    Merrie adored her Sparkey, and they had a magnificent romance for over 70 years while enjoying their large family that all lived within minutes of their home. One young grandson described her house as “a room full of love.” Her God-given gifts were many, especially hospitality. Everyone was welcome at Merrie’s house where something was always cooking, and the table was always set for a crowd. No one ever left Merrie’s house sad, hungry, or empty-handed. Merrie loved people and her generosity was legendary. She took such joy in having just the right gift for whomever stopped by. God gave her the wisdom and discernment to
minister to hearts that were hurting. She taught forgiveness. She always saw the best in others, and knew
when and how to encourage others, sometimes with a kind word, a pep talk or a challenge. When you walked away from Merrie, you felt so much better about yourself. Her legacy to her family is LOVE. “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:28-29
    The visitation will take place from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, September 13 at Sparkman Hillcrest. The
memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 14 at Pilgrim Chapel at Dallas Baptist
University. Interment will be Monday, September 16 at the DFW National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Merrie’s name to MOMCO (formerly MOPS), to Dallas Baptist University, and to The Merrie Beckham Alumni-By-Choice Endowed Fund at Baylor University.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.’ ” John 11:25

– Press-Reporter obituary services