Mary Jane "Zillie" Beachum was the fifth daughter and eighth of fourteen children born to Jeremiah Washington Beachum (1830-1910), a Confederate soldier, and his first wife Mary Jane Taylor (1836-1882). Her paternal grandparents were Hugh A. Beachum (1806-1861) and his wife Zillah "Zillie" O'Neal (1812-1882); and her maternal grandparents were William Taylor (c.1794-1848) and his wife Sarah McLendon (c.1805-1865), all of Anson County.

Mary Jane was born at her father's homeplace in Anson, some two years after he'd returned from his Confederate service. I am uncertain of her exact birth date, and suspect she may have actually been born in 1869 instead of 1867 (see the 1870-80 census records). However, the date given is the one on her tombstone. Her birth is actually noted twice on differrent pages in her father's family Bible, once in 1868 and once in 1869, but I think those entries were made later.

According to family legend, her grandmother, Zillie O'Neal (1812-1882, Mrs. Hugh Beachum), on her deathbed, decided she was displeased that none of her descendants bore her name, so she called her favorite grandchild, Mary Jane, to her bedside and offered her a ring (some versions say it was a gold piece) if she would take on the name. She agreed and was called Zillie until she died.

A story that I was told that sheds some insight into her character is that, when she was a little girl, her father kept a coffin in the attic over his store down in Anson County. (Whether it was one he'd had made for himself, since he was very tall, or just store stock, I do not know.) All the children were scared of the coffin and would go and look at it. One day, they dared each other to go and lie in the coffin....and Mary Jane was the only one brave enough to do it. She said it was "the strangest experience she'd ever had." But it shows that, like her parents who faced war and the horrors of reconstrucion unflinchingly, she was brave and courageous, even as a little girl.

Zillie Mary Jane married Dulin Benson Stearns (1863-1962) in Union County, NC, on Dec. 24, 1884. He was a son of Dulin Stearns (c.1837-1863), a Confederate soldier who died in the War, and his wife Rusha Elizabeth King (1837-1894), of Union County, NC.

Mary Jane & Dulin had 10 children, 9 of whom survived her:

1. Junius Stitt Stearns (1885-1965) m. Ethel Elvira Ellis (1893-1956) in 1911, five children: Junius Stitt Stearns, Jr. (1913-1986, m. Katharine Lasater), Margaret Ellen Stearns (1915-1918), Rachel Wilson Stearns (1917-2005, m. S. Everett Montgomery), Frank Ellis Stearns (1918-2003, m. Jessie Mae Pleasants), and George Benson Stearns (1920-2003, m. Jimmie Steele).

2. Ada Eugenia Stearns(1887-1980) m. John Henry Bennett (1878-1962), in 1902, four children, Lois Ethel Bennett (1903-1988, m. Raymond Keplinger, 2nd m. Jim Springs), Lela Bernice Bennett (1906-1983, m. Melvin Grant), John Henry Bennett (1909-1987, m. Zula E. Lowder) and Virginia Mae Bennett (1914-2008, m. Carl Scholosberg).

3. Ila Faye Stearns (1890-1980, m. Clyde Covington Fesperman (1887-1945) in 1920, one son, Clyde Covington Fesperman, Jr. (m. Marjorie Pless).

4. Carrold Adam Stearns (1892-1950) m. Maude Elma Watson (1904-1932) in 1920, six children, Watson Whitty Stearns (1821-1956), Carrold Adam Stearns, Jr. (1922-2013, m. Norma Cheek), Elma Waston Stearns (1923-2012, Mrs. Charles F. Deleot), Benjamin Dulin Stearns (1925-2006, m. Etta Taylor), Mary Jane Beachum Stearns (1927-1927) and Jeremiah Beachum Stearns (1932-1932).

5. Clyde Casey Stearns (1895-1969) m. Sue Estelle "Susie" Schell () in 1930, three children, Susan Stearns (Mrs. J. D. Ramseur), Clyde Casey Stearns, Jr. (1932-2008, m. Jane Gibson) and Jeremiah Beachum Stearns (m. Marian Gabriel).

6. Jesse Free Stearns (1898-1914) Killed at age 16, accidentally shot by his best friend while hunting.

7. Mary Elizabeth Stearns (1900-1985) m. Raymond Stricklen Deck (1900-1942) in 1924. Two daughters Jean Stearns Deck (1924-2013, Mrs. Andrew H. Symmes) and Catherine Deck (1926-2007, Mrs. J. D. Benson).

8. John Lee Stearns (1904-1904) There is some confusion as to whether he was named John Lee Stearns or Dulin Benson Stearns, Jr., for his father.

9. Eunice Virginia Stearns (1906-1983, m. John Levi Field) in 1929, one daughter, Joanna Field (d. 2009, Mrs. Kenneth O. Pankow).

10. Ophelia Jane Stearns (1909-1910).

The family lived in Union Co., NC until around 1890 or 1891, when they moved to the city of Charlotte. By all acounts, Mary Jane was a devout Christian, a gracious lady, a devoted wife and a loving mother.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above
rubies.. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come...She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness...She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness...Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
Proverbs, Chapter 31.