Rev. Melvin Mock Beeker Sr. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9}

   FamilySearch ID: LHK9-TGL.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1930 in Ogburn Station, Forsyth, NC. ¹¹ The 1930 census recorded owning a $2500 home: Willie J. Beeker, commercial salesman for wholesale grocer, 39, living with wife Clara D., 39; Willie V., 14; Clara M., 11; Melvin M., 9; Giles W., 6; Edna L., 6; and Charles H. 2 years 1 month on April 24 when the census was recorded. They and their parents were born in North Carolina.

2. Census in 1940 in Cotton Grove, Davidson, NC. ¹² The 1940 census recorded Willie J. Beeker, farmer, 48, living with wife Clara I., 48; Melvin, section hand on railroad, 19; Giles W., farm laborer, 17; Edna L., 16; Harby, 12; Annie H., 9; and George W., 6. All were born in North Carolina.

3. Occupation: Employer: Southern Railway, Greensboro, NC on 1 Jul 1941 in Greensboro, Greene, GA. ¹⁰

4. He was described as 6' 2" 180 lbs blue eyes blonde hair dark complexion on 1 Jul 1941 in Linwood, Davidson, NC. ¹⁰

5. Residence: Box 56, Linwood, NC on 1 Jul 1941 in Linwood, Davidson, NC. ¹⁰

6. Census in 1950 in Boone Township, Davidson, NC. ¹³ The 1950 census recorded Melvin M. Beeker, farm helper on farm, 33, living with wife Francis, works in furniture factory; daughter Phyllis A., 4; and son Melvin M. Jr., 3. Everyone was born in North Carolina.

7. Residence: on 13 Dec 1962 in Linwood, Davidson, NC. ^{2 7}

8. Book: The Heritage of Davidson County 1982: biography of Melvin Beeker, 1982. ¹
Melvin and Frances Beeker

Melvin Mock Beeker, Sr., b. 7 June 1920 at Welcome, was the son of Willie Joseph and Clara Berrier Beeker.

The family moved to Winston-Salem for 6 years. From there we moved to Rowan Co. in 1932. In 1935 we moved to Linwood, where Melvin was graduated from Linwood High School in 1937. He remained on the farm to help with the farming until Jan., 1940 when he worked briefly for the Southern Railway and Linwood Manufacturing Co. He entered the U.S. Army in Feb., 1942, served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, receiving the Good Conduct Medal and Bronze Star. After discharge he returned to Linwood Manufacturing Co. until 1965.

In 1964 Melvin received the call to the ministry and began studies to meet educational requirements to serve as minister in the United Methodist Church. He was graduated from the Pastor's School, Duke Divinity School of Duke University in 1970. He was ordained on his birthday in 1969 and has served pastorates in Troy, Mocksville, Asheboro, High Point and presently at Statesville.

He married in Hinesville, Ga. on 7 Feb. 1943 to Frances Elizabeth Goss, b. 18 May 1924, in Lexington, the daughter of John Alexander and Mary Spurgeon Goss. She grew up in Lexington, was educated in the city schools, and worked for United Furniture and Dixie Furniture Co. a total of 25 years, educating Melvin and 3 children.

Children: Phyllis Ann Beeker Leonard, registered nurse in Lexington; Melvin Mock Beeker Jr., who is associated with Ingersol-Rand of Mocksville; and Nancy Carolyn Beeker, a special education teacher of Candler.

There are 6 grandchildren: Michelle, Dana and Michael Leonard; Brian, David, Amy Renee, and Sally Elizabeth Beeker. Phyllis Ann married Lindsay Leonard of Reeds community and Melvin, Jr. married Judy Wagner of Davie Co.

Melvin is the grandson of Charles L. Beeker and great grandson of George Washington Beeker of Tyro community. He is the grandson of J. S. Berrier of the Shiloh community and great grandson of Albert Myers of Reeds.

Sources: Personal knowledge, family records
--Melvin M. Beeker, Sr.

9. Residence: on 24 Jan 2006 in Linwood, Davidson, NC. ⁶

10. Obituary: Davidson Funeral Home: obituary of Re. Melvin Mock Beeker on 23 May 2008 in Lexington, Davidson, NC. ^{9 14} 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.

Melvin married Frances Elizabeth Goss, daughter of John Alexander Goss and Mary Jane Spurgeon, on 7 Feb 1943 in Hinesville, Liberty, GA.¹ (Frances Elizabeth Goss was born on 18 May 1924 in Lexington, Davidson, NC,^{1 15 16} died on 15 Dec 2006 in Lexington, Davidson, NC ^{9 15 16} and was buried on 17 Dec 2006 in Linwood: Linwood United Methodist Church Cemetery, Davidson, NC ¹⁵.)