BETH ELAINE GRAHAM was born August 29,1927, to Rowland and Faye (Wildman) McCleerey on a Thurston County farm near Rosalie, Nebraska.  She passed away June 2, 2011, at Hospice House of Spokane in Spokane, Washington, at the age of 83 years.

Beth attended Parks Grade School and graduated Valedictorian from Decatur High School in 1944. She went on to attend Wayne State College receiving a teaching certificate in 1945 and taught school at Divide Center and Plainview, Nebraska and in other schools throughout the state.

On August 22, 1949, Beth and Theodore “Ted” Stanley Graham were united in marriage. Throughout the years they lived in various towns in Nebraska, due to her husband’s profession as Superintendent of Schools. His career changes later took them to live in McLean, Virginia, Bowie, Maryland, and San Diego, California. In 1983 they returned home to Nebraska. Beth spent her last 4 years in Spokane, Washington.

Her faith in God was uppermost in her life. She would help others before helping herself, showing love and concern for her family, friends and all she met. While in California, she was a member of the Paradise Hill Southern Baptist Church. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Lyons, Nebraska, where she was a deacon, elder, choir member and Sunday School teacher. She broadcast at a Sioux City Christian Radio Station in the early 1990's.

Beth fulfilled a lifelong dream at the age of 50 when she received her LVN Degree in Nursing from San Diego City College. She was employed as a private nurse for many years.

Beth enjoyed singing and writing. Several of her writings were published and for many years she wrote “Chats with Beth” column for the Lyons Mirror Sun.During her life she also enjoyed the joy of plant life and the company of animals. She loved to be in the presence of beautiful flowers and tend to them, and it could be said that her Chinese pug Midget was one of her most intimate companions.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ted Graham and brother, Curtis Duane McCleerey.Survivors include her three children, Terree Graham of Decatur, Beth Ann ( Robert) Fairfax of Spokane, WA,  Timothy Shawn (Marlene) Graham of Lyons; brother, Leon McCleerey of Seattle, WA; sister, Patricia Anderson of Walthill, NE, sister-in-law, Cleo McCleerey of Lyons; six grandchildren, Jonathon, Christopher (Ashley) and Anthony Fairfax, Matt (Samantha)Graham, Ashley Graham, Amanda (TJ) Beacom, four great grandchildren, Clementine Fairfax, Sara Beth Graham, Kaliyah and Jackson Beacom; nieces, nephews, other family and a host of friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE:  Friday, June 10, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lyons, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Thursday, June 9, 2011, 5 – 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Lyons. Visitation will also be held Friday at the church one hour prior to the service at the church.

INTERMENT:  Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, Nebraska

MEMORIALS: Donor's Choice