Beeson, Jr., Bennie Eldred
Bennie Eldred Beeson, Jr. of Radford, Virginia died June 27th at home. He was born Feb 5th, 1933 in Long Beach, Mississippi, the son of the late Bennie E. Beeson and Ida Mae Herold Beeson. He spent his childhood on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and lived for a time in New Orleans.
He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and served in Korea and Japan. After his military service, he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Louisiana State University.
He began his teaching career at Louisiana Tech as “temporary acting instructor”. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Tennessee and taught economics at Radford University for 23 years, serving three appointments as the department chairman. Upon retirement, he became Professor Emeritus.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marianne Smith Beeson, son William Bradford Beeson and his wife Kyra Marisa Beeson of Keller, Texas, daughter Katherine Mae Snead and her husband Paul Raymond Snead of Salem, Virginia.
He is also survived by his four much loved grandchildren: Michael Alexander Beeson, Brian Thomas Beeson, Jacob Ryan Snead, and Addison Grace Snead.
Bennie was the oldest of 5 children: Carole Beeson Savage of Spanish Fort, Alabama, Sue Beeson Dewey of Granbury, Texas, Betty Beeson Pique of Saucier, Mississippi, and Richard Dodson Beeson of Long Beach, Mississippi. All of his siblings and his sister-in-law Marsha Kirk Beeson gathered together with him during the last few days of his life.
He was an avid gardener, a voracious reader, and a long-time lover of classical music and standard poodles.
In lieu of flowers, friends may want to consider a donation to the American Diabetes Association or Poodle Rescue.
At a later date, a family celebration of Bennie’s life will be held at his favorite fishing spot in Mississippi.
The Beeson family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com