Wanda Beam

Wanda Imogene Newton Beam, age 91, of Mary's Grove Rd. died Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Caromont Regional Medical Center. She was born on May 17, 1923 in Gaston County to the late Ben Dixon and Mamie Moss Newton. Imogene was a graduate of Cherryville High School and voted "Prettiest in the Class." She was a member of First Baptist Church where she previously taught Sunday School, Training Union, G.A's, the Sunbeams, and assisted with Vacation Bible Schools. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and caring for her grandchildren. Imogene loved Cherryville and enjoyed attending activities within the community. Her greatest passion was anything involving her family. She always took time to be involved in the grandchildren's lives and attend their school, sports, and extra-curricular activities. She would cook Sunday meals and have the whole family over after church. Imogene looked forward to and cherished her favorite times of the years, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, when the whole family gathered at her home. She was a very godly woman and raised her family to know and love the Lord.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Henry Lee "H.L." Beam, Jr.; brother, Bennett Newton; daughter-in-law, Linda Beam Beam; sons-in-law, Dwight "Luke" Beam and Thomas K. "Tommy" Shuford; and grandchildren, Charles David Beam and Laura Leigh Beam.

Survivors include her children, Priscilla Helms (Nikki) of Gastonia, Michael Newton Beam of Cherryville, Judy Leigh Beam of Cherryville, Mayor H.L. Beam III (Diana) of Cherryville, and Denise Beam Shuford of Cherryville; sisters, Betty Jane Bame and Margaret Beam, both of Cherryville; sister-in-law, Dot Newton of Cherryville; brother-in-law, Donald B. Beam of Kings Mountain; grandchildren, Traci Shiles (Ronald), Steven Helms (Tonya), Patrick Helms, M'shel Beam Bowen (Ken), Deborah Jean Hopper (Michael), Lucinda Brown (Ronnie), Angela Walker (Reggie), Ashley Long (Preston), Zachary Shuford (Shauna), Jerod Shuford (Katherine), and Lee Shuford (Elizabeth); 20 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2014, at 3:30 PM at First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Vince Hefner officiating. Burial will follow at Cherryville City Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:30 to 3:15 PM prior to the service at the church and other times at her home.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 301 E. First St. Cherryville, NC 28021.