Obituary for Jessie Becker
Jessie Elizabeth “Beth” Becker (nee Booth)
Beth was born in Gladwin County, on January 6, 1924 to Susan Kate Ferrell Booth and Herbert George Booth. She received her formal education in the Gladwin County public school system, graduating from Gladwin High School as Salutatorian in 1941. Her classmates elected her president of her freshman class and she participated in news reporting/editing for the school newspaper. Beth enjoyed physical activity and played for her high school girls’ basketball team. Her mother, familiarly known as Susie Booth, died when Beth was 14. Susie’s sister, Irene Elthorp and her husband Bert, who were childless, took Beth and her sister Lucy in as their own. Aunt Irene and Uncle Bert became their parents in all but name.
Beth received a State Board scholarship to Central Michigan College of Education, now known as Central Michigan University. There she majored in English, speech and physical education.
Beth met Hiram R. Becker in the spring of 1942. They were married July 22, 1944 by the Rev. John Scott in Gladwin’s Methodist Episcopal Church.
Beth completed her degree and started teaching in Fulton, Michigan in the Fall of 1945. In 1950, they moved to Cadillac to build a successful high school football program. Between 1947 and 1955, their children were born: Hiram John (Beck), Robert James (Bob), and Elizabeth Ann (Betsy).
In Cadillac, 1957, Beth returned to work. When Hi Becker won the position of head football coach at Bay City TL Handy High School, she packed the children and household goods up and followed. She landed another teaching job in Bay City. Finally, in 1962, when Hi was offered Arthur Hill High School’s football program, they made their final move. Beth took a teaching job at South Intermediate School and stayed there until she retired in 1981.
In 1994 they moved to Gladwin, after 32 years in Saginaw.
Beth and Hi were adventurous snowbirds until 1995, when Hi was sidelined as a result of multiple strokes. The following 8 years presented them each with lessons in grace, courage and unconditional love. Hiram’s body finally failed him in 2003, leaving Beth a widow.
Beth was Hi’s most avid fan and support system. Their love for each other was unwavering. Beth will always be remembered for her story-telling abilities, her sense of family loyalty and her wicked sense of humor.
Beth is survived by one son, Hi Becker, III (Laura), one daughter, Betsy Greenwood (Dennis), and three grandsons: Hi Becker, IV; Ben Becker; and Alex Becker (Leontine). Son Bob Becker is deceased. Many other beloved cousins from Becker and Booth clans also honored her passing. FirstCousinSister Beth Bennett visted regularly.
Her husband, Hiram, one son, Robert, her brother, James and her sister, Lucy, predeceased her.
The family wishes to express immense gratitude to the care givers meds passers at Shattuck Manor for the loving assistance Beth received during her final days.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers that friends consider a contribution to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Gladwin or St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw.
A memorial service for Beth will take place in Gladwin in the Spring of 2016.
Services to be held in Spring
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Beth was born in Gladwin County, on January 6, 1924 to Susan Kate Ferrell Booth and Herbert George Booth. She received her formal education in the Gladwin County public school system, graduating from Gladwin High School as Salutatorian in 1941. Her classmates elected her president of her freshman class and she participated in news reporting/editing for the school newspaper. Beth enjoyed physical activity and played for her high school girls’ basketball team. Her mother, familiarly known as Susie Booth, died when Beth was 14. Susie’s sister, Irene Elthorp and her husband Bert, who were childless, took Beth and her sister Lucy in as their own. Aunt Irene and Uncle Bert became their parents in all but name.
Beth received a State Board scholarship to Central Michigan College of Education, now known as Central Michigan University. There she majored in English, speech and physical education.
Beth met Hiram R. Becker in the spring of 1942. They were married July 22, 1944 by the Rev. John Scott in Gladwin’s Methodist Episcopal Church.
Beth completed her degree and started teaching in Fulton, Michigan in the Fall of 1945. In 1950, they moved to Cadillac to build a successful high school football program. Between 1947 and 1955, their children were born: Hiram John (Beck), Robert James (Bob), and Elizabeth Ann (Betsy).
In Cadillac, 1957, Beth returned to work. When Hi Becker won the position of head football coach at Bay City TL Handy High School, she packed the children and household goods up and followed. She landed another teaching job in Bay City. Finally, in 1962, when Hi was offered Arthur Hill High School’s football program, they made their final move. Beth took a teaching job at South Intermediate School and stayed there until she retired in 1981.
In 1994 they moved to Gladwin, after 32 years in Saginaw.
Beth and Hi were adventurous snowbirds until 1995, when Hi was sidelined as a result of multiple strokes. The following 8 years presented them each with lessons in grace, courage and unconditional love. Hiram’s body finally failed him in 2003, leaving Beth a widow.
Beth was Hi’s most avid fan and support system. Their love for each other was unwavering. Beth will always be remembered for her story-telling abilities, her sense of family loyalty and her wicked sense of humor.
Beth is survived by one son, Hi Becker, III (Laura), one daughter, Betsy Greenwood (Dennis), and three grandsons: Hi Becker, IV; Ben Becker; and Alex Becker (Leontine). Son Bob Becker is deceased. Many other beloved cousins from Becker and Booth clans also honored her passing. FirstCousinSister Beth Bennett visted regularly.
Her husband, Hiram, one son, Robert, her brother, James and her sister, Lucy, predeceased her.
The family wishes to express immense gratitude to the care givers meds passers at Shattuck Manor for the loving assistance Beth received during her final days.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers that friends consider a contribution to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Gladwin or St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saginaw.
A memorial service for Beth will take place in Gladwin in the Spring of 2016.
Services to be held in Spring
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