Hill County Texas Archives Photo Person.....Beck, Roy Elmer [Husband Of Elizabeth "Bessie" L. Howell Beck] ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: T. Bradford Willis http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007638 October 5, 2012, 4:50 pm Source: Elizabeth "Bessie" Lethella Howell Beck, His Wife Name: Roy Elmer [Husband Of Elizabeth "Bessie" L. Howell Beck] Beck Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/hill/photos/beck10005nph.jpg Image file size: 109 Kb Roy Elmer Beck: Birth: Jun. 25, 1885 Midlothian Ellis County Texas Death: Aug. 24, 1944 Waco McLennan County Texas Oakwood Cemetery +++ Roy Elmer Beck was the son of William Franklin Beck (1853-1933) and Amanda Louise Harp Beck (1857-1912). He married Elizabeth "Bessie" Lethella Howell on Dec. 23. 1919 in West, McLennan County, TX. He was employed by the Texas Electric Railway, and he served as a Steward at the Herring Avenue Methodist Church of Waco, TX. He was buried in Rosemound Cemetery of Waco, but was re- interred in Oakwood Cemetery after the death of his wife. The following is an obituary from a 1944 issue of the Waco Farm and Labor Journal for Roy Elmer Beck: Roy E. Beck Answers Last Call by J. M. Pittillo The Death Angel is abroad in the land and it is evident he is no respecter of persons. This time it is Roy E. Beck, 58, who answered the call. The end came at Providence Hospital at 11 p.m. Thursday, August 25, 1944. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Herring Avenue Methodist church, Dr. W. H. Coleman, the pastor, officiating, burial in Rosemound cemetery. Compton in charge. Survivors: His widow, one daughter, Hester Mae Beck of Waco; one brother, E. W. Beck of Dallas; two sisters, Mrs. Lillian Garvin of Dallas and Mrs. L. Donaldson of Shreveport. Pallbearers: Floyd Hollingsworth, Roy Koos, Henry Neilson, T. J. Conway, Paul Dudley, L. M. Alexander. Honorary pallbearers: All Stewards of Herring Avenue Methodist Church and members of Men's Bible class of Herring Avenue Methodist church. H. G. Floyd of Dallas, J. S. Bourn of Waco and Dr. C. E. Collins. Mr. Beck had been a resident of Waco for 35 years and connected with Texas Electric Railway for 28 years. He resided at 1914 Mitchell. The funeral was largely attended and the beautiful flowers attracted attention. They were profuse and of the season's choicest blends. Roy Beck was a lover of flowers and if he had been here in person he would not have changed any part of the floral arrangements or the services. And we don't know but that he was looking down from behind the portals of heaven approvingly when Dr. Coleman paid a just and deserved tribute to the life of R. E. Beck. Also as to the two songs by Mrs. R. P. Dudley, "Sunrise Tomorrow," and "Abide With Me," never sounded sweeter. They were prime favorites of deceased. Mrs. L. M. Alexander, at the pipe organ, seemed to have a more sacred touch and the sweet strains must have permeated the halls of Heaven. All funerals are sad. The going away of a loved one brings tears and heartaches. It could not be otherwise at the passing of that Christian character like R. E. Beck. But there need be no worry in the going of this man. He had lived a life full of good deeds. He told this writer, more that once, that his greatest achievements were in his church. In his own words "I know from years of contact and experience that the church means more to any person than all else combined. Our daughter has grown up from a wee little tot to young womanhood in Herring Avenue Methodist church, amid an influence that doesn't exist anywhere else. I wish the world could understand this as my dear wife and I do." "I don't expect to be here very long and if it so happens that you, Brother Pittillo are here when I pass, won't you please write my thoughts to this people, who I love so much. I would like to call them all by name, but there are too many. If you will pardon me, I will mention Tom J. Conway, for many years our Sunday School Superintendent and his good wife and Mrs. J. W. Sedberry and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Koos and-but as said there are so many others." The above conversation occurred at the home of the writer nearly a year ago. Brother Beck was aware that a fatal malady had a hold upon him. He suffered from hardening of the arteries for several years and the pain he endured at times was intense. He never complained and always said "God's will be done." He talked just like he was ready for a long journey, perfectly composed and unafraid. For 28 years R. E. Beck went up and down on the Interurban car to and from Dallas. He was known by the traveling public. He was courteous, pleasing and attentive on the electric car. Everybody was glad to ride his car. They liked his smile and good cheer. But several years ago his condition forced him to retire, in the hope of regaining his health. We knew him as a loyal worker, during his palmy days of young manhood. It was good to know a man like R. E. Beck. We have known him for many years as a memeber of Herring Avenue Methodist church. But better still we have come in direct contact with Brother Beck as a member of the Board of Stewards, Herring Avenue Methodist church: He was also official greeter each Sunday. He stood at the door of entrance and extended a warm hand clasp to all who entered and placed a bulletin in their hands. He really loved his church work. He put his all into it and therefore got much out of it. R. E. Beck never accumulated gold or silver, during his 58 years, but better still, he leaves his loyal wife and lovely daughter a good name, an honorable career, a clean life that has the approval of not only this people, but of God himself. It is well with the soul of Roy. E. Beck in the life over there. +++ Resolutions on the Death of R. E. Beck ___ Chairman Clyde C. Hays named a committee to prepare Resolutions on the death of R. E. Beck, member of Herring Avenue Methodist Board of Stewards, to be a part of our minutes and printed in Farm and Labor Journal. The Resolutions WHEREAS, the Allwise Creator has called from this life our beloved and loyal member, R. E. Beck and we bow in humble submission to our Master, and WHEREAS, the passing of R. E. Beck from our midst will leave a vacancy in this board and of society that cannot be filled. He was not an ordinary man. In body and mind R. E. Beck was as near perfect as mortal man can be, all during the years we have known him. He never found fault with his friends or neighbors, but sought out the good qualities and enlarged upon same. He was one of the most modest and retiring persons of our membership. He was a great optimist. This was perhaps because he believed so strongly in the goodness of God. His faith was unassuming and as simple as a child. He was a thrifty man and delighted in his home, shade trees and flowers. He loved his family and friends and was true to them as well as to his church. THEREFORE, be it resolved, that in the passing of this good man the Herring Avenue Methodist Board of Stewards have suffered in irreparable loss. He was a regular attendant, faithful and interested in the church. He was ready for the last journey, he had kept the faith. He left a glorious heritage to his wife and daughter and to his church. MRS. ROY KOOS, DR. W. H. COLEMAN, J. M. PITTILLO, Committee from Board of Stewards, Herring Avenue Methodist Church, Waco, Texas. +++ This is an article on Roy Elmer Beck found in the Waco Farm and Labor Journal, February 28, 1941: R. E. BECK, GOOD CITIZEN R. E. Beck says he is enjoying his vacation and making a rapid recovery from a recent attack of illness. For about a quarter century Mr. Beck has had important connection with the Texas Electric Railway Company, running from Waco to Dallas and return as a conductor. During those years he has come in contact with thousands of passengers and the manner of service he has rendered, the extreme courtesy and genial disposition at all times, has easily made him one of the most popular conductors on this railway line. Mothers and fathers have been heard to say "When I send our little children to and fro on the interurban, I always wait for the car that Mr. Beck operates. I feel perfecly safe when sonny boy or daughter is in his charge." Everybody knows and loves this fine conductor up and down the line. But we in Waco know him best, love him best and claim him as our own. We know him to be the most modest man we ever knew. And yet he has a strength of character that attracts, for he knows how to be firm, yet kind and considerate of those with whom he comes in contact. The other 29 members of the Herring Avenue Methodist Church Board of Stewards - he is the 30th member - can attest to what I say. He never misses a meeting. He has his lists ready to report and is on the job for his church all the time. He is one of the ushers and can be found at the entrance on each Sunday, smiling, with an outstretched hand of welcome to all. As you may know, it is necessary in all churches to have praying members, working members and paying members. Some folks can do little but pray, others can only work, while some can only pay. We can't do without either of these classes. R. E. Beck is in class 1, 2 and 3. In a word he is a good citizen, helpful in his lodge, civic and church work. We would not want to do without him out at Herring Avenue Methodist church. And what we have said about R. E. Beck is nothing to compare to the good wife he possesses. And the lovely daughter, Hester Mae. Nothing worth while goes on in North Waco and at our church that this fine wife and mother and daughter is not a considerable part of. R. E. Beck visited with us the other day at our office and we enjoyed his visit very much. We are glad he is getting better and hopes to soon return to his duties. He was kind enough to say "I want to congratulate you on the interesting church page in Farm and Labor Journal. Our pastor, Dr. Coleman and Mrs. Roy Koos are centainly doing a good work in their weekly news and to me it is the best form of publicity we could possibly use. And, let me add that Dr. Coleman is giving us the best Bulletin we ever had. I rejoice in these helpful agencies of our church. "With such an earnest, consecrated pastor, exhibiting intense interest at all times in our membership, as well as the visitors, I feel that our church is going to have the best year of its history in 1941. "And now that we have the parsonage all dolled up I know everybody feels good. I was especially pleased with the happy expression on the face of Mrs. Coleman, our pastor's wife the day of the open house. Everybody loves this pastor's wife, for her great interest and devotion to every department of the "church with a future." She is truly an inspiration to us all. "Chairman W. D. Baker, and his committee N. D. Patterson, R. T. Sullivan, Mesdames J. M. Pittillo, C. S. Colvin, D. N. Hicks and Mrs. E. S. Allen did a fine job on the parsonage improvements and I am going to hand them a flower while they live for the real service they rendered our congregation. And Clyde Hays, our Board of Stewards chairman, had important part in this work. We can't keep Clyde from working. "And while I am on the subject, let me say a word about our Sunday School Superintendent, Tom J. Conway. He is the right man in the right place. We couldn't get along without Mr. and Mrs. Conway. They work single or double, anywhere any time our church needs them. But that applies generally to the membership of "the Church With a Future." "And now our Parsonage note of $700 is paid in full, several weeks before the note became due is another thing to be thankful for. God truly works in mysterious ways, as is illustrated in the payment of this amount. I say, God bless America and all our people of all creeds and color. "Now, let's turn our best efforts toward the Building fund for the new Educational building. I want to be here when that much needed addition to our plant is completed." And so Brother Beck picked up his hat and in departing, remarked: "I have just made some suggestions, not for appearance in Farm and Labor Journal, but to let you know how I feel about things generally." 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