September 6, 2011

ADAMS, N.Y.  —  S. Gertrude Beckstead, 90, Mooney Gulf Road, was taken by angels to join her husband, Basil, in heaven on his birthday, Sept 5.

The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home with Rev. Mary Drake, pastor of the Mannsville and Lorraine United Methodist Churches, officiating. Burial will follow in the Lorraine Cemetery. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at the funeral home. 

Born April 23, 1921, in Vienna, Va., a daughter to Frederick and Viola Bennett Thompson, she worked for at the Pentagon for a few years following her education.  

She married Basil E. Beckstead March 4, 1944. The couple moved to the north country in 1945. Mrs. Beckstead was a professional painter and wallpaperer, working well into her 1970s before retiring.  Mr. Beckstead passed July 3, 1990.

Gertrude was a member of the Lorraine United Methodist Church and the churches Wednesday Club. 
 
She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, dancing and the company of family and friends. 

Surviving are four daughters, Yvonne Foley, Nashville, Tenn., Sharon (Chuck) Lane, Henderson; Delores (Mickey) Flitcroft, Longs, S.C., Brenda Whitney and her companion Joe Jennings, Adams; three sons, Vernon (Laurie) Becksted, Daniel “Jeff” (Tammy), all of Lorraine and Rick Beckstead, Ludowici, Ga.; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.  

A brother, Daniel Thompson, a sister Polly Beckstead, and a great grandson, Keon Robinson, all died before her. 

Contributions may be made to the Lorraine United Methodist Church. 

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.carpenterstoodley.com. 








Information provided by Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.