Londeana Beckley

LonDeana Morehead was born on June 15, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois to loving adoptive parents Helen Louis Davis and Will Morehead. She married Robert H. Beckley in 1950 and was overjoyed to become a mother to her beloved only child, Sheryl Lynne Beckley, born on November 6, 1951.

"Deana" received her formal education at Ninth Street School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following her education, she spent many years being a dedicated mother and later, worked as a receptionist and office manager.

In 1991, she relocated with her daughter and her "heart of hearts", grandson Ian Eduard(o) Beckley, to the Central Coast of California where they established residency in Lompoc. There, Deana worked as a property manager for senior apartment complexes before retiring in 1998. In 2006, she followed her daughter once again and relocated to Cherryville, North Carolina where she would spend her final years.

Deana's greatest joy in life was her daughter and twin flame, Sheryl Lynne. After Sheryl unexpectedly passed on December 11, 2014, Deana remarked that people rarely thought of one without the other which was the truth. During this difficult time, it gives her family great comfort to know that they are reunited once again. Many knew Deana as a devoted mother, foster mother, grandmother, and most recently, great grandmother (GG). In this life, family (both by blood and by choice), friends and adopted fur babies were her central focus. Her world was colored in black, red, and white.

Deana will always be remembered for her charismatic personality; expressive hands; wicked sense of humor and roaring laugh that could be heard for miles; cursive letter writing with fountain pens on rice paper; creatively whipping up munchies in the kitchen; bird watching; and her great love of carryout. She showered all who crossed her path with thoughtful interaction and most often, a takeaway memento. Deana was dynamic, spunky, sharp witted, a spelling stickler, a humanitarian, lover of art, late night owl and Johnny Depp's #1 fan. Hipper than hip, cooler than cool, she was a fashionista who stayed on top of trends in the entertainment, music and fashion industries. All children loved her immediately and clamored to spend time in her presence. Deana created a magical childhood for her grandchildren with storytelling, bus adventures, and by encouraging them to become the people that spirit would have them be.

LonDeana Beckley departed this world on Friday, January 23, 2015. She leaves to cherish her memory, grandson Ian Beckley and wife Heather Niblack of Lompoc; great grandsons: Felix Eugene and Rowan Oliver; fur babies: Baily (Bay Bay) and Figaro (Fig); Ian's mother in law, Ann Niblack of Lincolnton, North Carolina; foster-brother: Raymond Washington of Milwaukee; and foster-daughter: Victoria Shaw of Milwaukee and grand-daughters: Jayna Whitehorn of Milwaukee; Kimberly (Steve) Bonds of Milwaukee; namesake Toria "D"Lynn Shaw of Chicago, Illinois; and Tai (Antoine) Shavies of Milwaukee.

LonDeana also leaves behind many other loving relatives and dear friends. Our cherished Grama, Granny D, Little Grandma, GG will forever remain in our hearts; gone but never forgotten. May she now be in the presence of all she loved that passed before her.

"Protect your space and circle. Invest in people who you know will feed you just as much goodness as you do them."
-Alex Elle

"Being a family means that you are a part of something very wonderful.
It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.
No matter what."
-Anonymous

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to
make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
-Emerson

Acknowledgement
The Beckley, Niblack, and Shaw family wishes to express sincere and profound gratitude for each act of kindness and sympathy rendered during our bereavement. Whatever you have said or done, we will be eternally and humbly grateful.

Our beloved LonDeana Beckley was a big supporter of the National Wildlife Federation. In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made in her honor. Donations can be made by on their website memorial page, by phone or via mail.

Phone: 800-822-9919
Memorial site:
https://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/More-Ways-to-Give/Memorial-Gifts.aspx
Mail:
National Wildlife Federation
PO Box 1583
Merrifield VA 22116-1583

*When you make a memorial or tribute gift, you will receive a personalized thank you card and the honoree or family of the honoree will receive a personalized card notifying them of the gift you made.

Please designate Ian Beckley as the contact of the honoree. Ian's address is 300 South G Street, Lompoc, CA 93436

Our cherished Grama and GG will remain forever in our hearts. We thank you for your loving thoughts and kindness.