His life’s work was his family, his land and his community. Married in 1948 to Grace Wilkes, they remained a devoted couple and friends for 68 years. His love of nature was inspiring, and he worked in his yard and garden every day until recently. He and Grace spent many hours together in their gardens and ‘putting up’ their crops, which they shared with anyone and everyone. He had been a farmer and dairyman, as well as spending years working with Fair Lumber Company and Taylor Machine Works as a welder. He could plow a field by the time he was 8 years old, and ‘make a crop’ by the time he was a teenager. In the ‘storm’ of 2014, he lost his beloved trees, damaged to his home and all outbuildings and equipment. He spent the last year of his life working to restore his yard and home.
He infused every action with his love of the Bible and God. He was a long time member of Liberty Baptist Church, and spent much of his life enjoying singing in the choir, learning with his Men’s Sunday School Class, eating ‘dinner on the ground’, and listening to many a speaker, all of which gave his life joy and provided him a loving and caring spirit.
Marshall Beck was born in Rienzi, Mississippi, July 9, 1928. Those left here to honor his life are his loving wife, Grace; and his daughters Gayle (Thomas) Wekenman and Betty (Richard) Byrd all of Noxapater. Also by his grandchildren, Adria (Rob) Ellington and Jacob Wekenman and Christopher (Lindsey) Byrd all of Noxapater and Richard (Jamie) Byrd of Terry, Mississippi. His great-grandchildren in Noxapater are Sam, Thomas and Sebastian Gunnin; Madison and Kyndall Byrd; and Levi Wekenman; in Terry, Mississippi, are Jennifer Byrd (Hank) Jordan and Kelly Byrd. He has one great-great-grandchild, Charles Ray Jordan. He is also survived by one brother, Roy Beck, of Tupelo. There are many nieces and nephews he cherished.
Family members who passed before him are his parents, Callie Wilson and Henry Beck; and brothers Wade, Jud, Wes, Martin, Clovis, John, Clifford; and sisters Modene, Ruby, Mildred, and Irene. And a second mother, Edna Wilkes, sister-in-law.
Serving as pallbearers will be Billy Wade Clark, Ralph Duran, Allen Goodin, Steve Jones, Shawn Peetz, Bobby Stanley, Chet Wilkes, and Justin Wilkes.
Memorials may be given to Liberty Cemetery Fund, c/o Jodie Duran, 4067 Yarbrough Carter Road, Noxapater, MS 39346.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Quality Hospice for their tender and compassionate care.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Quality Hospice for their tender and compassionate care.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
