Our dear mother and grandmother, Imogene (Jean) Foster Beck, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, formerly of Hope, passed away just after the beginning of a new day on Friday, December 2, 2022. Her oldest daughter was at her side. She turned 96 years old just a few days before. She lived a long and very full life.
Imogene was born in Hope, Arkansas to the late Frank Foster and the late Lula Harvin Foster on November 26, 1926. She grew up in Hempstead County and attended school here.
Imogene is preceded by her parents; husband, W.C. Beck; three sisters, Annie Bennett, Cortelia (T-Bo) Faught, Altie Williams; four brothers, Jack, Buck, Franklin (Dick), and Tilton Foster; and a grandson, Scott Mazur.
Imogene is survived by a son, Carroll Beck (June) of Hope; two daughters, Carolyn Littleton (Dr. Herbert R.) of Tahlequah, OK and Janice Mann (Byron) of Jasper, AR; grandsons, Rusty Beck (Brooke) of Hope, Brad Littleton (Misty) of Tahlequah, OK, Brain Littleton (Abbie) of Fort Smith, AR, Randall Mann of Jasper, AR, Todd Mazur (Jennifer) of Greenbrier, AR, Drew Mazur of Redwater, AR; granddaughters, Dr. Mandy Beck of Cape Coral, FL, Beth Post (B.J.) of Everett, WA, Angela Glover (Mike) of Mabelvale, AR, Robin Adams (Jay) of Ashdown, AR; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Imogene was a loving, devoted, and selfless wife and mother. She and W.C. Beck, the love of her life, was married on January 25th, 1944. They fell in love all over again and more than ever after their three children were grown and had left the home. That was a precious sight to see and a precious time for them.
Imogene was one of the most loving people the world has known and is well loved in return. Her goal each day was to make someone smile. She often did just that with her witty comments and her own gorgeous smile. She was all about enjoying time with family and friends. Her home was always open to relatives, friends, and W.C.’s deer hunting buddies. She loved to cook, and many times had a big country breakfast ready for those hunters when they arrived in the very early morning. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren alike miss her big family and holiday meals. The grands and their friends can tell you about her wonderful after school snacks. She also enjoyed cake decorating, crafting, and gardening. Before his death, she and W.C. always had a big garden, in the earlier years it included a huge watermelon patch.
Imogene was grounded in her faith and loved the church. Her personal relationship with Jesus Christ carried her through any difficulties this life on earth dealt her. She was committed to Jesus with her study of the Bible and with her prayer life. She continually prayed for her family, their travels, their health, their troubles and did the same for extended family and friends as needed. We have all been shaped and blessed by her Christian values.
Imogene and W.C. were long time members of the Forest Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he was a deacon and she served for a time as church treasurer. After W.C. died and Imogene moved into Hope, she became a member of Southside Missionary Baptist Church. In the past, Imogene was an active member of the Medical Park Hospital Auxiliary (Pink Ladies and Gents), the Hempstead County Extension Homemakers Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Her life goal carried over into her work at the hospital where that witty personality and contagious smile made the day of many patients and staff members.
Imogene loved her children deeply and cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always tickled to hear from nieces and nephews and other extended family. She will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed.
Our family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Grove Assisted Living in Tahlequah, OK for their loving care of our sweet mother for the last several years. Thank you to the staff of Brazzel-Oakcrest Funeral Home and Brother Rodney Langston for your care and assistance for the family. To First Baptist Church Hope, thank you for providing a meal for the family after the service. (We would like to note that Forest Hill Missionary Baptist also offered a meal.) We also thank our friends and family and extended family members for your presence, prayers, thoughts, and condolences during this time.
Visitation will be 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday December 7, 2022, at BRAZZEL/Oakcrest 1001 South Main Hope Arkansas 71801
Funeral service will be 10:00am On Thursday December 8, 2022, at Brazzel/Oakcrest with Bro. Rodney Langston officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Online condolences: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com