Beverly Joyce (Waddell) White died quietly Mar. 1, 2010, at Community Home Health and Hospice, Longview, Wash.

Born Oct. 11, 1928 in Sheridan, Wyo., Beverly was a devoted wife and mother, who faced life and its many challenges with strength and dignity. Beverly was the daughter of John Jackson Waddell and Alice Corinne (Tift) Waddell. She was raised in and around Sheridan, leaving in September 1950 to marry David Keith White who was in the Army in Hopkinsville, KY.

Over the years, Beverly and her growing family moved to military postings at Camp Cambell, KY. and Fort Bragg, N.C., before returning to Sheridan for a time.

The family later lived at Fort Leonard Wood, MO., Longview, WA. and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM.

David retired from the Army while in New Mexico and he and Beverly bought a small farm on the outskirts of Las Cruces. Working hard and teaching themselves along the way, they built their home, including logging the poles for the roof beams, and laying thousands of adobe bricks.

Over the years, Beverly held a variety of jobs from nursing at retirement homes and hospitals, to pumping gas at the base service station at WSMR.

While living in Las Cruces, she was a Tax Assessor for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID). She worked with most of the area farmers who knew her by the nickname ‘Charlie’.

An accomplished horsewoman, she rode both western and English, riding for pleasure and competition.

Following the death of her beloved husband David, Beverly moved back to Longview to be near family.

One constant element through the years was Beverly’s love of art in nearly any form. Art was deeply ingrained in Beverly’s soul. In her earlier years she would take art classes whenever possible. In later life, she took classes through the New Mexico State University and at senior citizen centers and libraries. Her artistic interests included sketching and painting pastoral scenes, people in everyday activities and still lifes.

A talented sculptor, she completed many busts and figures of people and animals, earning many awards.

Attracted by the vibrant colors and textures, Beverly took weaving classes and built two looms, which she used to create intricate table runners, hangings and shawls.

When asked once of what she most proud, she said simply “her children.

” Beverly was preceded her in death by her daughter Kelly, and is survived by her other children: Patrice Michele Geiselhart of Wheatland, Okla., Donna Kathleen Orr of Longview, Wash., David Kent White of Hooks, Texas, and Joy Dean Samsel of Pensacola, Fla. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Beverly wished for no funeral services and her ashes will be buried next to husband David and daughter Kelly in Sheridan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Community Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 2067, Longview, Wash. 98632.

The Sheridan Press - March 5, 2010.