Obituary of James Beckwith

James Wesley Beckwith, 81, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Wednesday, January 1, 2014, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Mr. Beckwith, son of James and Dottie (Ball) Beckwith, was born November 11, 1932, in McDougal, Arkansas. He was a carpenter. Mr. Beckwith enjoyed hunting, gardening, playing music, entertaining with his stories and taking care of his chickens. He was a talented artist/engraver. Mr. Beckwith attended West Point Pentecostal Church. On July 2, 1960, he was married to Joan Louise Beckwith in Woodriver, Illinois, and she survives. Also surviving are six children: Melody (and John) Leroux and Dwade (and Tammy) Beckwith both of Doniphan, Rob (and Lisa) Beckwith of Scott, Arkansas, Danny (and Laurie) Beckwith of Cabot, Arkansas, Diane (and Kevin) Beckwith Kyker of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Jeanie (and Joe) Shepard of Imperial, Missouri; three brothers, Daniel (and Sue) Beckwith and Ernie (and Barb) Beckwith, both of Illinois, and Doyle (and Vi) Beckwith of Poplar Bluff; 14 grandchildren, Mandy, Wesley, Stephanie, Craig, Jason, Chrystal, Danielle, Heather, Justin, Connor, Abby, Chad, James and Brittany; and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, James Wesley Beckwith, Jr., four sisters, Gertrude Beecher, Zora Ray, Rhoda Payne and Sylvia King and two brothers, Laurance "Bud" Beckwith and Frank Beckwith. Visitation will be held Saturday evening, January 4, 2014, from 6 - 9 p.m. in the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will be held Sunday afternoon, January 5, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at the West Point Pentecostal Church in Doniphan.