Now, this person doesn't have an existing tombstone that I've been able to find... and that makes me want to highlight their short life even more. Those without a tombstone, in my opinion, deserve an extra little bit of thought, because they have no special place of memorial.
This is Laura Pearl (LaRue) Beck and she lived to see the age of 29... the same age I am right this very second.
Laura was born on March 8th, 1888, in Smith Mills, to Benjamin Hardin "Ben" LaRue and Mary Philapine (Lawrey) LaRue. She was one of at least eleven children. Unfortunately, Ben and Mary were plagued by children who would die at a young age.
When Laura was 23 years old, she married Thomas Jesse Beck on November 15th, 1911, in Posey County, Indiana.
Together, they reared three children before Laura's untimely passing. On September 26th, 1917, she passed away from pulmonary tuberculosis. Just 29 years young. The same age I am now... mind blowing, honestly.
Laura was a beautiful young lady. She looked a lot like her siblings - you could tell those LaRue genes were strong. (Or perhaps it's the Lawrey genes..?)
Laura was only about 11 years old when her mother passed away, and about 13 years old when her father passed away. Unfortunately, Laura's three children were even younger than that when they lost her.
Laura was likely buried in Smith Mills Cemetery near her parents -- but even their grave is unmarked. Laura's grave is as well. I'm not even sure what section of the Smith Mills Cemetery that it's in.. likely the older part.
Almost two years later, Laura's widower Thomas Jesse remarried to Mable Claybrook who was about ten years his junior. Together, they had a staggering SIXTEEN children. That's sixteen that I know about! There *could* be a miscarriage or stillbirth I'm unaware of.
Thomas Jesse Beck was the son of Isaac Lawrence Beck and Adrain "Ade" Willingham. He was about eight years old when his father died, and he was about ten when his mother died. Maybe this was something he and Laura connected with each other about.
(A little interesting tidbit to note for the LaRue family -- Laura's brother, Charles Clarence LaRue *my Great-Great-Grandfather* his second wife was Sarah (Beck) Staser. She was actually the niece of Isaac Lawrence Beck. Small town, huh?)
Thomas Jesse Beck lived to see the age of 79 - he passed on September 14th, 1971. His widow, Mable, lived to see 78; she passed away on March 7th, 1981. They are buried in Smith Mills Cemetery as well.
Now - y'all know I've got to do it... I've got to tell you about Laura and Thomas' three children, and then, as an added bonus, I've got to tell y'all about Thomas and Mable's sixteen.
The eldest, and the two youngest children of Thomas and Mable are still living. I will list them as I don't believe anyone here will have a problem with that/privacy and whatnot, but if any member of the family does reach out and wishes their names removed, I'll do so. 🙂 I feel like we're all family here and all related to each other (some of us closer than others lol) so hopefully no one has a problem with the post. 🙂
The three children of Laura (LaRue) Beck and Thomas Jesse Beck:
1. Owen Hamner "Hambone" Beck; born August 5th, 1912, died January 25th, 2000. He married Drusie Mae Gaines. They're buried in the Smith Mills Cemetery. (Hamner was a close friend of my Great-Grandpa, Dick Blanford. Hamner and Lorene (LaRue) Blanford were first cousins.)
2. Catherine Adrain (Beck) Gaines Newman; born November 25th, 1913, died January 6th, 2012. Her first husband was Clifford Gaines, second husband was Frank Newman. She and her first husband are buried in Fairmont Cemetery.
3. Norman Edward Beck; born January 25th, 1915, died February 10th, 1996. He married Beatrice McCormick first, then Mary Della Rice. He and Mary Della are buried in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
The sixteen children of Thomas Jesse Beck and Mable Claybrook:
1. Naomi Ruth Beck; born in 1920. As far as I know - she is 101, going to turn 102 this year and still living! Talk about some longevity! Naomi was married to Shelby Curtis Harris who preceded her in death in 1993. Naomi lives up towards Indianapolis.
2. Lawrence Clifford "Pete" Beck; born February 15th, 1922, died June 24th, 2003. He married Ella Louise Williams. They're buried in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
3. Thomas Jesse Beck Jr; born August 27th, 1923, died August 13th, 1924. He's buried in Smith Mills Cemetery.
4. Alvin Richard Beck; born December 4th, 1924, died March 2nd, 2005. He married Nelda Sue Cowan. They're buried in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
5. Calvin Charles Beck; born December 4th, 1924; died December 7th, 2006. He married Anna Mae Mills (who is still living). Calvin was buried in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
6. Thomas Rudolph "Rudy" Beck; born September 7th, 1926; died May 8th, 1989. He married Virginia Sonday. They're buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Charles, Missouri.
7. Joyce Louise (Beck) Hanley; born June 18th, 1928, died March 13th, 1992. She married Luther Dixon Hanley. (Their son Jim Hanley is a noted member of our community!) Joyce and Luther are buried in St. Louis Cemetery.
8. Bennie Lee Beck; stillborn on January 27th, 1931. He's buried in Smith Mills Cemetery.
9. Billy Donald Beck; born February 11th, 1932; died January 22nd, 1989. He married Rubye Parker. They're buried in Smith Mills Cemetery.
10. Jerry Wayne Beck; born August 25th, 1934; died March 31st, 1990. He married Patricia Ann Wimber. They're buried in Smith Mills Cemetery.
11. Franklin M. Beck; born April 8th, 1937, died August 30th, 1937. He's buried in the Smith Mills Cemetery.
12. Thomas Larry Beck; born October 23rd, 1938, died May 7th, 2000. His first wife was Vivian Joyce Elmore, his second was Melva Louise Westerman. He's buried with Melva in Smith Mills Cemetery.
13. Phyllis Jean Beck; born March 13th, 1940, died October 3rd, 1940. She's buried in Smith Mills Cemetery.
14. Barbara Sue Beck; born July 7th, 1941, died July 9th, 1941. She's buried in the Smith Mills Cemetery.
15. Scarlett F Beck; still living. Previously married to Chester Ervin Jr, currently married to Billy Herron.
16. Linda P Beck; still living. Married to Harold Fulkerson.
So.. there you have it. All nineteen children of Thomas Jesse Beck... three with his first wife, sixteen with his second wife. And if you'll notice -- only ONE set of twins. However, it seems Thomas and Mable name three different children with the first name of "Thomas." Thomas Jesse Beck Jr, Thomas Rudolph "Rudy" Beck, and Thomas Larry Beck. I guess they really liked the name Thomas, huh?
Hopefully in the Beck line, someone names a daughter "Laura Pearl," in the future. I think that would be a lovely homage to Laura Pearl (Beck) LaRue who died so young. This is almost 105 years later and her memory remains.
Thanks for reading along about my Great-Great-Grandaunt this evening. I'm sure a lot of Beck cousins are about to pop up out of the woodwork so, hello to all of you from a LaRue cousin!
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