Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


Wilma Vera (McDuffie) Beaver
[ 27 July 2005, Ricks-Bowers Funeral Home]

Wilma Vera Beaver, 94, second born of eleven children born to her parents, 
William Flemming McDuffie and Winnie Alice Franklin McDuffie, died July 24, 2005, 
in Irving, TX.  She was born November 12, 1910, in Florence, Williamson County, 
TX; she moved to Grimes County in 1915 via covered wagon.  Vera graduated Iola
High School and married Clarence Marvin Beaver the next day, June 1, 1930.  The 
newly-weds moved to Teague, TX, and established their home, became active
members of Eighth Avenue Baptist Church, celebrated the birth of their only 
child, James Donald Beaver, and cultivated many life-long friendships.  During
the World War II years, Marvin moved his family to Port Arthur, TX, to work 
building a defense plant and subsequently worked for the same company for 26 
years.  In 1967, following his retirement, Marvin and Vera moved back to Teague 
to be near their families and to enjoy their retirement. Following Marvin's 
death in 1984, Vera lived alone in Teague until her move to Irving, TX, in 2003.  
Along with her husband of 54 years and her parents, Vera is preceded in death 
by brothers Clifton Reginold (Pete) McDuffie, who served as a bi-vocational 
pastor of churches in Freestone County; Rev. William Flemming (Buck) McDuffie 
of GA; sisters Vivian White, Earline McDuffie, Myrtle Williamson, and Florence 
Rice.  She is survived by her son and her daughter-in-law James and Joyce Beaver, 
Irving, TX, her grandchildren Michael and Diane Beaver, Denton, TX, Keith and 
Terry Beaver Nelson, Colleyville, great-grandchildren Ryan Michael, Emily 
Katherine, and Brett James Beaver, Staley Katherine, Ashley Brooke, Chad Michael,
Caroline Nicole, Erin Gail, and Katelyn Joy Nelson who affectionately called
her "Gigi".  Brothers: Emory Fain McDuffie, Iola, TX, Billy Dale McDuffie, 
Bedias; sisters: Eva Franklin, Amarillo, Harriett Eastepp, Pennington, brother-
in-law Norman White, Bryan, sisters-in-law Mary Smith Beaver, Waco, and 
Katherine Boyd Beaver, Teague.  Also surviving her are a host of nieces and
nephews to whom she was affectionately known as "Aunt Vee".

Vera was driven by a strong desire to please God and to faithfully serve Jesus, 
her Savior and Lord. She prayed earnestly, daily, and by name for the salvation
of her great-grandchildren.  She wanted each one to know Jesus in a personal 
relationship following the example set before them by their parents and 
grandparents.  

Should you desire to give memorials in lieu of flowers, the families ask 
donations be made to Eighth Avenue Baptist Church, 201 South Eighth Avenue, 
Teague, TX, 75860.