Minnie Rachael Beal was born in Silsbee, Texas on June 28, 1924 to Maggie Waldrep Beal and Henry S. Beal. She was the seventh child of a family of eight children. She went to be with the Lord and the rest of her family on August 8, 2004 at St. Elizabeth Hospital at the age of 80 years old. She lived in Hillister, Texas for a brief period and then moved to Beaumont, Texas. Her mother and father were pioneers with the lumbering industry.
Her childhood was spent in the educational system of Beaumont I.S.D and was a graduate of French High School, the class of 1941. Her activities included basketball, academic excellence, and perfect attendance. After graduation she went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and retired with forty seven years of service. She was a member of Telephone Pioneers for many years and was known as Mom, Nonnie, and Aunt Minnie.
A celebration of her life will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday evening, August 10, 2004 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the mortuary.
She is survived by her daughter, Sue McNeely of Beaumont; brother-in-law, Paul Fritsche; sisters-in-law, Rosa Beal of Nederland and Anita Beal of Crystal Beach; many nieces and nephews; and members of the Pioneer Beal-Waldrep family.
Pallbearers will be nephews: Wayne Hicks, Beau Hicks, Larry Hicks, Cody Mattock, Robert Miller, Allen Riggs, Timmy Riggs, Emil “Dee Dee” Tilitzki.
She is preceded in death by her sisters, Loree Neichoy, Emily Wiggins, Getsie Tilitzki, Hattie Fritsche; and brothers, Henry Beal, Hebert Beal, and Jimmy Beal.
Perspective
I am standing on the seashore.
A ship spreads her sails to the
Morning breeze and starts for the ocean.
I am watching her until she fades
On the horizon, and someone at my
Side says, “She’s gone----!”
“Gone Where?” The loss of sight is
in ME---- not in her. Just at that moment
when someone says, “She’s gone,” there
are others watching her coming. Other
voices take up the glad shout,
“Here she comes!”
That is Dying.