Mrs. Willie Mae Beverly, 95, of Waycross died early Sunday morning at Mayo Clinic Health Systems of Waycross. She was born at the Forks of the Hurricane in Pierce County to the late James K. Strickland and Julie Douglas Strickland. Mrs. Beverly had made her home in Ware County for most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of High Bluff Primitive Baptist Church. Mrs. Beverly loved her church family and enjoyed hearing them sing as well as attending Sacred Harp sings. She loved to read and fish. Mrs. Beverly will forever be remembered as a wonderful mother who loved more than anything time spent with her family. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of sixty seven years, Henry Roy Beverly, and three children, Connie Louise Beverly, Larry Lee Beverly and Willie Roy Beverly, Sr.

Mrs. Beverly is survived by two sons, Ronnie J. Beverly and his wife Mary Alice of Waycross, Ray Ferrell Beverly and his wife Patsy of Waresboro, two daughters, Bonnie Beverly Horton and her husband Melvin of Hoboken, Carolyn Hilton and her husband John of Waycross, a daughter-in-law, Mary Beverly of Waycross, twelve grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, nine great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at High Bluff Primitive Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Beverly will be taken to her residence, 2309 Prescott Street, where she will lie in state beginning at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday afternoon and will remain until she is taken to the church Wednesday morning. The family will receive friends beginning at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday at her residence.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.

contributor Jerry Van Herrin