Bette Mildred Beckwith

Bette Mildred Beckwith,  93, (affectionately called “Granny”) of Phoenix, AZ, formerly of North Chicago, IL,  went home to be with Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior on August 2, 2018 at home.  She was called Granny by everyone and loved being Granny because she loved her family so very much and family was so dear to her heart. Bette was born on January 6, 1925 in Fredrick Town, MO to the late Alex and Gertrude Kinder.  Born to this union were eleven children.  Early, as a child, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  In 1930 Bette moved to North Chicago, IL.  She attended elementary and secondary school there and graduated from Waukegan Township High School.  Afterwards, she met the love of her life Herman Beckwith.  To their union were born four children, Eric D., Bashir, Yvonne and Craig.  They then moved to Waukegan, IL were they became members of Trinity AME church.  At Trinity AME Church, she served as a Class Leader, Sunday School Teacher and Stewardess.  In December of 1972 she joined Eternal Flame AME church in North Chicago, IL and was there until 1997.  Bette was a woman of great faith, a virtuous woman of God, a teacher and a visionary.  She was the Matriarch of the family. By profession she was a Nurse - LPN.    She worked for over 25 years for the Public Aid Office as a Manager and Field Nurse.  She retired from there in 1991 but continued on in her profession as a Private Duty Nurse.  In 1997 She moved to Phoenix, AZ where she joined the Murphy AME Church of the Good Samaritan.  There she served on the Missionary Board and was a Mother of the Church.  She also served as a mentor to many young people.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Gertrude Kinder; her Husband Herman Beckwith; son Craig Beckwith, daughter Yvonne Jackson; her sisters Ednora, Opal, Frances, Caroline, Violet and Gertrude, and brothers Alex, George, James and Paul. She leaves behind to cherish her fond memories two sons Eric Beckwith of Phoenix, AZ and Bashir (Aminah) Mahmud of Phoenix, AZ; 15 Grandchildren, 28 Great-Grandchildren, 5 Great-Great Grandchildren; very special Nephews Charles Cole, Vincent (Cynthia) Harris and David White; a host of nieces and nephews as well as her Church Family and Friends.

Home Going Services for Bette M. Beckwith will be Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Eternal Flame AME Church, 1412 Greenfield Street, North Chicago, IL.  Wake will be at 10:00am, Funeral at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Arrangements entrusted to Sambrano Funeral & Cremation, 4606 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee, IL 60031. You may sign leave online condolences at LauraSambranoFunerals.com; for more information, please call 847-571-7719

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