Mary Shuss Beasley, 85, of 1584 Parkertown Road passed away at home Thursday evening, August 26, of natural causes.
She was born in Concordia, Kansas June 17, 1925 to the late Chet and Nettie Shuss. After graduating high school, she attended Kansas State University and obtained a degree in Home Economics. On a whim, she accepted a blind date with a young man from Georgia, George Beasley, who happened to be stationed at Fort Riley. The romance blossomed, and after serving a term in post-war Japan, George returned, and they were married in Kansas. They soon moved back to Lavonia, GA and began a family. Helping to run a successful farm, she cooked and worked tirelessly for her family, farm workers, and anyone else who happened to be around at mealtimes. Although moving from the Midwest to the deep South in the 1940s was a big adjustment for her, Mary quickly won over friends with her graciousness and kindness and became an active and respected member of her community. Before any such governmental programs, she helped provide school lunches for children who could not afford them. In addition, she belonged to the Lavonia Garden Club and Lavonia Women's Club and orchestrated many club projects.
Mary was also an adept businesswoman. Later in life she managed Parkertown Tree Farms and was a co-founder of Transplant Nursery which her son, Jeff and his wife, Lisa, continue to operate. She was a member of the American Rhododendron Society and the Azalea Society of America and was sought out and honored for her horticultural expertise. She was a member of Lavonia First Baptist Church.
Mary is survived by her children George Beasley and wife Becky, Martha Hill, John Beasley and wife Karen, and Jeff Beasley and wife Lisa, all of Lavonia. Mary was always proud that all her children chose to come home and raise their families close to her. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: George Beasley and wife Haley of Lavonia, Bart Beasley and wife Joyner of Charleston, SC, Ben Beasley and Will Beasley of Atlanta, GA, Camilla Correia and husband Gatlin of Aiken, SC, Evan Beasley of Lavonia, and Kelsey Beasley of Lavonia, as well as by three great-grandchildren: Duncan Beasley, Luke Beasley, and Ceil Beasley.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Chet and Nettie Shuss, her husband, Walter George Beasley, her son-in-law, T. W. Hill, and her brother, Bob Shuss.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 29, 2010 at the Lavonia First Baptist Church with Dr. Larry Finger and Rev. Richard Bielski officiating. Burial will follow in the Lavonia City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. At other hours the family will be at the home of Jeff & Lisa Beasley.
Mary loved flowers, and donations can be made to the Lavonia First Baptist Church's Feed The Hungry Program.
Mary's life was an inspiration to everyone who knew her and especially her family. She imbued all of us with a love of learning, a sense of wonder, and a commitment to live for what we think is right.