Edna Beach

Edna Earle McIntyre Beach, 87, a lifelong resident of Hopewell, Virginia, died Friday, October 14, 2005, at the home of her daughter in Norfolk, Virginia, after an extended illness. She was born on May 6, 1918, to the late Inoe Reddick and Gould Conway McIntyre. She graduated from Hopewell High School at age 16 and from Smithdeal-Massey Business College in Richmond. She was the widow of Haywood Alfred Beach, who died in 1987. They were married on October 12, 1940 and shared 47 happy years together. Mrs. Beach was a founding member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in Hopewell and an active member for 77 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Circle Chairman, and Historian, as well as in numerous other capacities. She was named an Honorary Life Member of the Presbyterian Women by the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. in 2000. Mrs. Beach was also active in civic and community affairs. She served on the Hopewell School Board for 16 years, from 1956 to 1972, during the crucial years of school desegregation. She was active in the Garden Club of Hopewell for over 40 years, serving as its President and being named an Honorary Member. She was a lifetime member of the Weston Manor Foundation and a past docent. Mrs. Beach was also a member of the Prince George Woman?s Club and Prince George Ruritan Women for over 30 years and was a current member of the Woman? Club of Hopewell. She was a member and past President of the Hopewell Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Mrs. Beach was devoted to her family, her church, and her community. She will be remembered by those who knew and loved her for her abiding faith, keen intellect, love of nature and human kindness. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Cheryl Beach McNelley and her husband, Don, of Chester, Virginia, and United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith and her husband, Gerald Zeno, of Norfolk; a brother, Gould Calvin McIntyre and his wife, Joyce, of Suffield, Connecticut; three grandsons, Vincent Beach McNelley of Chester, John Lucian Smith III and Clarke McIntyre Smith, both of Norfolk; two great-grandsons, Quinn and Kevin McNelley of Annapolis, Maryland; and nine nieces and nephews. The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, October 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at J.T Morriss Funeral Home in Hopewell, which is handling arrangements. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Edward Bellis, with burial to follow at Appomattox Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, 1201 Blackstone Avenue, Hopewell, Virginia, 23860. Condolences may be registered with www.jtmorriss.com