Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameJohn Dee BECKOM 
[1], [1730], [1719], [1738], [1746], [240], [1732], [1047], [1048], [1747], [1748], [775], [1734], [1735], [1051]
[1], [1730], [1719], [1738], [1746], [240], [1732], [1047], [1048], [1747], [1748], [775], [1734], [1735], [1051]DeathApr 17, 2025, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina [1051]
BurialAlamance Memorial Park, 4039 S Church St, Alamance County, North Carolina [1750]
FlagsUS Army
FatherThomas Onelis BECKOM (1897-1973)
MotherPearl Juanita SUTTON (1899-1979)
Spouses
DeathAug 3, 1980 [3258]
BurialAlamance Memorial Park, 4039 S Church St, Alamance County, North Carolina [8042]
FatherLester S. SOMERS (1891-1953)
MotherAnnie Jane ROSS (1898-1990)
No Children
3Martha Gladys WAGONER [1], [1730], [1719], [1731], [1738], [1732], [1047], [1048], [1739], [775], [1734], [1735], [1051], [1740], [1741]
[1], [1730], [1719], [1731], [1738], [1732], [1047], [1048], [1739], [775], [1734], [1735], [1051], [1740], [1741]DeathJan 26, 2025, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina [1735]
BurialCremated [1742]
FatherGarland Woodrow WAGONER Sr. (1911-1988)
MotherMildred Roseland HARROD (1916-2003)
No Children
Obituary Online notes for John Dee BECKOM
4/23/2025
John Dee Beckom
December 25, 1926 ~ April 17, 2025
98 Years Old
John Dee Beckom, 98, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Coble Creek Healthcare, Piedmont neighborhood at Twin Lakes Community. Through his 98 years of life, John treasured the love of his family, relationships with his friends, and the adventures that the great outdoors offered.
John was born and raised in Alamance County. Shortly after graduating from high school, John joined the United States Army and was Honorably Discharged in November of 1946. After his military service, John was employed with Western Electric until he retired with over 35 years of service.
Retirement offered John the opportunity to do many things he truly loved. John enjoyed bird hunting during season and would organize trips with his hunting buddies at various game lands and farms of friends throughout North Carolina. He walked many miles with his bird dogs and loved every minute of it! Fishing was another of his favorite pastimes. John loved the thrill of hooking a bass or a catfish and was quite the master of reeling in his catch! John’s passion for the outdoors inspired him to help establish the Alamance Wildlife Club, as he was one of the founding members. In his early 60’s, John began to really take a liking to the game of golf. Being an athlete with exceptional hand eye coordination, this game was just the medicine John needed to stay active and constantly inspired him to improve on his scores. By his late 70’s, John achieved what many golfers set out to do and that was to shoot his age!
John loved to travel, and he looked forward to trips near and far with excitement. John and Martha let no grass grow under their feet as they were active throughout their marriage. They shared every moment possible with family and dear friends, making memories and pursuing all that was “good in life”! John was deeply devoted to his family. He was a calm, gentle spirit of influence in their everyday lives. Whether lending a hand, giving advice or just being a good listener, you could count on John to give you his all and speak from his heart.
John was preceded in death by his parents Thomas O. Beckom and Juanita Sutton Beckom, his brothers O.T. Beckom and Conard Beckom, and his sisters Bernice Cantrell and Betty Satterfield. John was also proceeded in death by his first wife of 31 years Frances Somers Beckom, and most recently by his wife of 37 years Martha Wagoner Ross Beckom.
“Papa” John is survived by stepchildren Theresa Lilienthal (Rick), Melinda Bradshaw, and Michael Ross (Terri), step-grandchildren Rick Riley (Chelsea), Michelle R. Richards (Tyler), Hank Lilienthal (Lindsey), Hannah Lilienthal (Chris), Beth McGuire (Todd), Amanda Shoop (David), Taylor R. Lewis (Bryan), and James M. Ross. John is also survived by eleven great grandchildren. Nieces and nephews surviving “Uncle John Dee” are Gaynell Leazer (Harry), Wade Cantrell, Glenn Cantrell (Claudia), Pam Pritchard (Terry), Janet Radford (Gary), and Michael Beckom. John was proceeded in death by his niece Connie Woody (Ken).
A celebration of life for John Dee will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Rich and Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington with visitation from 12:30 - 1:15 p.m. and service at 1:30 p.m. led by Rev. Bob Disher. A graveside dedication with military honors at Alamance Memorial Park will follow the service.
The family would like to thank the Coble Creek staff for their care and dedication to John during his time at the Twin Lakes Community. To the Piedmont neighborhood staff and team of nurses, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. “THE JOHN DEE” was at peace knowing he had those around him that treated him like family. We will be forever grateful to you all!
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made in John’s memory to the Alamance Wildlife Club, Faith Christian Church , or St. Mark’s Community Church .
https://www.richandthompson.com/notices/John-Beckom [1051]
John Dee Beckom
December 25, 1926 ~ April 17, 2025
98 Years Old
John Dee Beckom, 98, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Coble Creek Healthcare, Piedmont neighborhood at Twin Lakes Community. Through his 98 years of life, John treasured the love of his family, relationships with his friends, and the adventures that the great outdoors offered.
John was born and raised in Alamance County. Shortly after graduating from high school, John joined the United States Army and was Honorably Discharged in November of 1946. After his military service, John was employed with Western Electric until he retired with over 35 years of service.
Retirement offered John the opportunity to do many things he truly loved. John enjoyed bird hunting during season and would organize trips with his hunting buddies at various game lands and farms of friends throughout North Carolina. He walked many miles with his bird dogs and loved every minute of it! Fishing was another of his favorite pastimes. John loved the thrill of hooking a bass or a catfish and was quite the master of reeling in his catch! John’s passion for the outdoors inspired him to help establish the Alamance Wildlife Club, as he was one of the founding members. In his early 60’s, John began to really take a liking to the game of golf. Being an athlete with exceptional hand eye coordination, this game was just the medicine John needed to stay active and constantly inspired him to improve on his scores. By his late 70’s, John achieved what many golfers set out to do and that was to shoot his age!
John loved to travel, and he looked forward to trips near and far with excitement. John and Martha let no grass grow under their feet as they were active throughout their marriage. They shared every moment possible with family and dear friends, making memories and pursuing all that was “good in life”! John was deeply devoted to his family. He was a calm, gentle spirit of influence in their everyday lives. Whether lending a hand, giving advice or just being a good listener, you could count on John to give you his all and speak from his heart.
John was preceded in death by his parents Thomas O. Beckom and Juanita Sutton Beckom, his brothers O.T. Beckom and Conard Beckom, and his sisters Bernice Cantrell and Betty Satterfield. John was also proceeded in death by his first wife of 31 years Frances Somers Beckom, and most recently by his wife of 37 years Martha Wagoner Ross Beckom.
“Papa” John is survived by stepchildren Theresa Lilienthal (Rick), Melinda Bradshaw, and Michael Ross (Terri), step-grandchildren Rick Riley (Chelsea), Michelle R. Richards (Tyler), Hank Lilienthal (Lindsey), Hannah Lilienthal (Chris), Beth McGuire (Todd), Amanda Shoop (David), Taylor R. Lewis (Bryan), and James M. Ross. John is also survived by eleven great grandchildren. Nieces and nephews surviving “Uncle John Dee” are Gaynell Leazer (Harry), Wade Cantrell, Glenn Cantrell (Claudia), Pam Pritchard (Terry), Janet Radford (Gary), and Michael Beckom. John was proceeded in death by his niece Connie Woody (Ken).
A celebration of life for John Dee will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Rich and Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington with visitation from 12:30 - 1:15 p.m. and service at 1:30 p.m. led by Rev. Bob Disher. A graveside dedication with military honors at Alamance Memorial Park will follow the service.
The family would like to thank the Coble Creek staff for their care and dedication to John during his time at the Twin Lakes Community. To the Piedmont neighborhood staff and team of nurses, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. “THE JOHN DEE” was at peace knowing he had those around him that treated him like family. We will be forever grateful to you all!
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made in John’s memory to the Alamance Wildlife Club, Faith Christian Church , or St. Mark’s Community Church .
https://www.richandthompson.com/notices/John-Beckom [1051]
Obituary Online notes for Bobbie May (Spouse 2)
Bobbie Beckom, 85, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2014 at Martin Nursing and Restorative Care.
Bobbie was born in Christiansburg, VA, lived many years in Richmond, VA, and had been a long time permanent resident of Stuart, FL.
Bobbie spent the last 15+ years of her working career doing a job she loved. As Director of Stores for Patchington, she traveled the United States opening and managing what became a network of 65 retail clothing stores with a staff of more than 130 people. She had a "can- do" attitude and performed with a level of fairness and confidence that earned her the love and respect of all of her friends and coworkers.
Survivors include her sons David Gulick and daughter-in-law Liz Gulick of Stuart; Rick Gulick and his wife Sally of Englewood, CO; grandchildren Robert, Brett, Jamie, and Kaydi Gulick; great grandson Van Gulick, sisters June Parsell of Lynchburg, VA, and Maggie Jones of Manakin- Sabot, VA; and many loving and supporting family members and friends.
Bobbie loved animals, especially cats, and volunteered with our local humane society; therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Inc., 4100 SW Leighton Farm Avenue, Palm City, Florida 34990. www.hstc1.org
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 15 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Jensen Beach with Father Frisby officiating.
Interment [in All Saints Cemetery] and a gathering at the Fellowship Hall will immediately follow the service.
Published in the Stuart News on Nov. 5, 2014 [8052]
Bobbie was born in Christiansburg, VA, lived many years in Richmond, VA, and had been a long time permanent resident of Stuart, FL.
Bobbie spent the last 15+ years of her working career doing a job she loved. As Director of Stores for Patchington, she traveled the United States opening and managing what became a network of 65 retail clothing stores with a staff of more than 130 people. She had a "can- do" attitude and performed with a level of fairness and confidence that earned her the love and respect of all of her friends and coworkers.
Survivors include her sons David Gulick and daughter-in-law Liz Gulick of Stuart; Rick Gulick and his wife Sally of Englewood, CO; grandchildren Robert, Brett, Jamie, and Kaydi Gulick; great grandson Van Gulick, sisters June Parsell of Lynchburg, VA, and Maggie Jones of Manakin- Sabot, VA; and many loving and supporting family members and friends.
Bobbie loved animals, especially cats, and volunteered with our local humane society; therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Inc., 4100 SW Leighton Farm Avenue, Palm City, Florida 34990. www.hstc1.org
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 15 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Jensen Beach with Father Frisby officiating.
Interment [in All Saints Cemetery] and a gathering at the Fellowship Hall will immediately follow the service.
Published in the Stuart News on Nov. 5, 2014 [8052]
Obituary Online notes for Martha Gladys (Spouse 3)
1/30/2025
Martha Gladys Wagoner Ross Beckom
February 2, 1936 ~ January 26, 2025 (age 88)
Martha Beckom, 88, of Burlington, passed away peacefully at Coble Creek Healthcare in the Twin Lakes Community on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
A native of Alamance County, she was the daughter of the late Garland W. and Mildred H. Wagoner.
Martha is survived by her husband, John D. Beckom, to whom she was married for 37 wonderful years.
Martha will be long remembered for her love and unwavering support of her family and friends. Martha was an interior decorator/designer during her career, as well as an amazing seamstress. From draperies to bedspreads and pillows, to making dresses and hemming pants or patching a rip in your jeans, Martha could do magic with a needle and thread for just about her entire life! Her legendary “chicken pie” was always a treat as well as her homemade “fruitcake” during the holiday season. Martha also loved gardening. Nurturing the soil to grow her favorite flowers and veggies in the garden each season always brought great joy to her.
Martha and John enjoyed entertaining family and friends and welcomed those that dropped by to just say hello. Martha loved to spend time with a challenging puzzle or playing cards with family and friends or participating in some hilarious game that created much laughter. Martha loved music, especially Christmas music. She was a soprano in the choir at Berea Christian Church for many years. Martha and John also enjoyed traveling. They had many adventures with their “travel group” friends and the thoughts of those trips always brought back fond memories. Martha and John spent many days traveling to watch family members participate in sporting events and recitals. Their trips with sister Lora and her husband Graham as well as adventures with their dearest friends Charles and Patsy Rumbley were memories that were revisited often. Martha also kept in close contact with childhood classmates from Elon as “the girls” would gather often to share a meal to catch up on what was going on in their lives. One of her dear classmates, Lee Thompson, always brightened her day when they had the opportunity to chat on the phone. A loving thank you to Patsy and Lee for your gracious friendship and faithfulness through Martha’s journey.
Martha was preceded in death by her first husband, Mac C. S. Ross, her sister, Lora Womack, and her brother, Johnny Wagoner.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, daughters, Theresa Lilienthal (Rick) and Melinda Bradshaw, and son, Michael Ross (Terri), eight grandchildren, William Frederick “Rick” Riley, Jr. (Chelsea), Michelle R. Richards (Tyler), Manning Henry “Hank” Lilienthal III (Lindsey), Hannah Lilienthal (Chris), Beth McGuire (Todd), Amanda Shoop (David), Taylor R. Lewis (Bryan), and James Ross. Martha also had eleven great-grandchildren as well as two nieces and a nephew.
Martha’s faith journey began at Friedens Lutheran Church, she then attended Berea Christian Church, and she entered the pearly gates as a member of St. Mark’s Community Church. Reverend Bob Disher will preside over the service to celebrate Martha’s life in the May-Foley Chapel at Coble Creek Healthcare and Rehabilitation building at Twin Lakes Community on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The family with receive friends after the service in the Coble Room.
The family would like to express their most sincere thanks to all of those that had a hand in making Martha’s end of life journey full of love and compassion. To the staff at Coble Creek and especially the “Blue Ridge” neighborhood team of professionals a heartfelt thank you for ALL you did and shared with Martha. To the “Blue Ridge” team, you dedicated every day to make Martha comfortable and rest peacefully with a smile on her face.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions being made to AuthoraCare https://www.authoracare.org/give/donate-online in honor of their support of Martha over the past eight months, to St. Mark’s Community Church https://www.smc.church/give, or to the organization of their choice.
https://www.richandthompson.com/notices/Martha-Beckom [1735]
Martha Gladys Wagoner Ross Beckom
February 2, 1936 ~ January 26, 2025 (age 88)
Martha Beckom, 88, of Burlington, passed away peacefully at Coble Creek Healthcare in the Twin Lakes Community on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
A native of Alamance County, she was the daughter of the late Garland W. and Mildred H. Wagoner.
Martha is survived by her husband, John D. Beckom, to whom she was married for 37 wonderful years.
Martha will be long remembered for her love and unwavering support of her family and friends. Martha was an interior decorator/designer during her career, as well as an amazing seamstress. From draperies to bedspreads and pillows, to making dresses and hemming pants or patching a rip in your jeans, Martha could do magic with a needle and thread for just about her entire life! Her legendary “chicken pie” was always a treat as well as her homemade “fruitcake” during the holiday season. Martha also loved gardening. Nurturing the soil to grow her favorite flowers and veggies in the garden each season always brought great joy to her.
Martha and John enjoyed entertaining family and friends and welcomed those that dropped by to just say hello. Martha loved to spend time with a challenging puzzle or playing cards with family and friends or participating in some hilarious game that created much laughter. Martha loved music, especially Christmas music. She was a soprano in the choir at Berea Christian Church for many years. Martha and John also enjoyed traveling. They had many adventures with their “travel group” friends and the thoughts of those trips always brought back fond memories. Martha and John spent many days traveling to watch family members participate in sporting events and recitals. Their trips with sister Lora and her husband Graham as well as adventures with their dearest friends Charles and Patsy Rumbley were memories that were revisited often. Martha also kept in close contact with childhood classmates from Elon as “the girls” would gather often to share a meal to catch up on what was going on in their lives. One of her dear classmates, Lee Thompson, always brightened her day when they had the opportunity to chat on the phone. A loving thank you to Patsy and Lee for your gracious friendship and faithfulness through Martha’s journey.
Martha was preceded in death by her first husband, Mac C. S. Ross, her sister, Lora Womack, and her brother, Johnny Wagoner.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, daughters, Theresa Lilienthal (Rick) and Melinda Bradshaw, and son, Michael Ross (Terri), eight grandchildren, William Frederick “Rick” Riley, Jr. (Chelsea), Michelle R. Richards (Tyler), Manning Henry “Hank” Lilienthal III (Lindsey), Hannah Lilienthal (Chris), Beth McGuire (Todd), Amanda Shoop (David), Taylor R. Lewis (Bryan), and James Ross. Martha also had eleven great-grandchildren as well as two nieces and a nephew.
Martha’s faith journey began at Friedens Lutheran Church, she then attended Berea Christian Church, and she entered the pearly gates as a member of St. Mark’s Community Church. Reverend Bob Disher will preside over the service to celebrate Martha’s life in the May-Foley Chapel at Coble Creek Healthcare and Rehabilitation building at Twin Lakes Community on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The family with receive friends after the service in the Coble Room.
The family would like to express their most sincere thanks to all of those that had a hand in making Martha’s end of life journey full of love and compassion. To the staff at Coble Creek and especially the “Blue Ridge” neighborhood team of professionals a heartfelt thank you for ALL you did and shared with Martha. To the “Blue Ridge” team, you dedicated every day to make Martha comfortable and rest peacefully with a smile on her face.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions being made to AuthoraCare https://www.authoracare.org/give/donate-online in honor of their support of Martha over the past eight months, to St. Mark’s Community Church https://www.smc.church/give, or to the organization of their choice.
https://www.richandthompson.com/notices/Martha-Beckom [1735]