Rev. Lester Beckham

Rev. John Lester Beckham, 94, died Thursday, March 15, 2012, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Born on June 14, 1917 to Walter and Pearlie Mae Beckham, Rev. Beckham was a lifelong resident of Iredell County. He is survived by his wife, Irene Houston Beckham, a son, Leon Beckham (Patti) of Dayton, OH, four daughters, Nancy Cook (John) of Statesville, Katie Giblin (Pat) of Bonita Springs, FL, Phyllis Cagle (Jim) of Tampa, FL. and Lisa Schumacher (Jim) of Matthews, N.C. also survived by a sister, Lorene Tilley of Statesville, he leaves behind nine beloved grandchildren, Lynne and Mark Beckham of Dayton, OH, Dawn Houpe Oliver of Charleston, SC, Alice Houpe Robinson and Jennifer Houpe Dagenhart of Statesville, Billy and Vanessa Barnard of Santee and Alameda, CA, and Zac and Max Schumacher of Matthews, N.C.; 10 great-grandchildren, Andy and Casey Robinson, Rose and Lily Houpe, Jacob Dagenhart, Davey, Suzie, Kelsey, Eli and Aaron Barnard. Rev. Beckham also enjoyed close relationships with numerous devoted nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Gladys Combs Beckham, he was also predeceased by three brothers, Robert (Bud), James, and William (Bill) Beckham and five sisters, Alice Summers, Mary Lee Lambert, Edna Ford, Mae Johnson and Macie Johnson.. After serving in an infantry division in Germany during WWII, Rev. Beckham began his ministry as pastor of Ham's Grove Baptist Church, followed by serving for 25 years as pastor of Cochran Street Baptist Church in Statesville. He was a graduate of Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem, N.C. and Fruitland Bible Institute in Hendersonville, N.C. As well as serving his Lord and Savior in ministry for many years, Rev. Beckham was known by many in the Iredell area for his love of walking. For many years he walked up to five miles a day, often remarking that he would rather "miss a meal than his daily walk". After his retirement from full-time ministry, he continued ministering to those in the local area hospitals and nursing homes, along with conducting funerals of his many life-long friends. In the many years he was blessed to live after his official retirement, he was a true example of the saying that "there is no retirement in the Lord's service". The Beckham family will receive friends at Nicholson Funeral Home 6:00 until 7:00 PM Saturday. A service celebrating his earthy life and home-going to his Eternal Home will be held at Ham's Grove Baptist Church at 2:30 PM Sunday, March 18, 2012 with Rev. Otis Johnson, Jr. and grandson, Billy Bernard officiating. Following burial in the church cemetery, a reception of friends will be held in the church's fellowship hall. Pallbearers will be Andy Robinson, Jacob Dagenhart, Zac and Max Schumacher and Mark and Todd Orren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Ham's Grove Baptist Church, 287 Hicks Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and the family is being served by Nicholson Funeral Home.