Grace Beshears (7-2-12)

Grace Lee Hall Beshears, wife of Rev. William J. Beshears, passed away Monday, July 2, 2012.

She had a massive heart attack February 2, 2002 and virtually died several times since but rallied each time to enjoy her large family for eleven and a half more years. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Lola Hall.

The Beshears family came to First Baptist Church October 25, 1982 and served the church as Minister of Education and Associate Pastor during the 80s. They were already planning to celebrate 60 years together next year and 60 years in ministry. They had been retired for nearly 17 years.

Survivors include her husband; three children, Jill Fant (Charles III), Jan Hurd (David), John Beshears (Marsha); six grandchildren, Charles William Fant IV (Amy), Bethany Fant Moore (Dr. Nate Moore), Jessica McCoy (Wade), Taylor Hurd (Ashley), Zachary Beshears, Kayla Beshears; two great-grandchildren, Collin Alexander McCoy, Elle Roxanne McCoy; and a brother, Robert K. Hall (Sue), Tequesta, Fla.

Grace was known as Amazing Grace because she rallied so many times from several life-threatening episodes. She was born and lived in Columbia, S.C. The family moved to Kalamazoo, Mich., for her father’s health. Bill was in the Army at Ft. Custer, Mich. They married and moved to Kansas City to prepare for the ministry. Grace had attended Western Michigan University and Bill graduated from William Jewell College and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They served church in Missouri, Tennessee and Georgia. In the 80s and 90s Grace owned the Winder Welcome Service. She worked with pre-school deaf, special ed and cerebrally handicapped children and being a super seamstress, she was the tailor for Richs in Memphis and Atlanta. When they retired, Bill and Grace moved tack to Winder and First Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 7, at 4 p.m. at Winder First Baptist Church. She will be taken to Caughman/Harman Funeral Home in Lexington, S.C. for visitation on Sunday, July 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. Graveside services will be held Monday, July 9, at 10 a.m. at Lybrand Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Winder First Baptist Church, 625 Jefferson Hwy., Winder, GA 30680, in her memory.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.