Ruth Elizabeth Beacham, aged 88 passed away on October 26, 2015. Ruth was born in Asheville, NC on April 17th, 1927 to Gaston Henry McKinney and Clara Beck McKinney. She is survived by her husband William S. Beacham and daughter Teri Beacham of California, MD as well as her sister, Doris M. Mitchell of Lexington, KY. Ruth is predeceased by her parents and son, Timothy Stuart Beacham.

Ruth was a graduate of Peace College. She was employed by Raleigh Laundr; NC State University Veteran Housing; Food Services at the University of North Carolina; and Duke Power. She was a member of the American Sewing Guild and other sewing organizations. Ruth was a gentle, loving wife and mother who always took the smallest piece of pie. During their 65 years of marriage, she and her husband found humor, laughed and moved on. She raised her children to love and appreciate others. She faced many life challenges one at a time. Her quiet faith, courage and humor afforded her throughout her life.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 30th, 2015 at 2 PM at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 4921 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, State Library of NC, 1841 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27635. Checks should be made payable to: FNCLBPH in memory of Ruth Elizabeth Beacham.