Dorothy Ramsey Beam

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Celebrating the life of
Dorothy Ramsey BeamMarch 22, 1918 - August 25, 2008

DOROTHY RAMSEY BEAM

Dorothy Ramsey Beam passed from this life on August 25, 2008. Born on March 22, 1918, in Burke County, North Carolina, to John and Maggie Ramsey, Dot was blessed with five sisters and three brothers. In 1933, at age 15, she and some of her adventurous sisters took a train to the Chicago World's Fair which exposed her to a world beyond her rural North Carolina home. It was a defining moment in her life to see first hand what she had learned in church that God calls his people to meet the needs of the world. She delayed her higher education until 1944 when she enrolled at Gardner-Webb College in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
In 1945, she met and fell in love with John Beam, a G.I. returning from the war who had also enrolled at Gardner-Webb. Dot won the title of May Queen of 1946 at Gardner-Webb, and on August 31st of that year, she and John were married. They completed their undergraduate education at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, and accompanied her husband as he obtained his seminary degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
John and Dot felt called to volunteer as missionaries, but Dot's health prevented them from serving overseas. While contemplating how they could both answer their calling, John served in associational missions in Morganton, North Carolina. At about the same time Southern Baptists were beginning Christian Social Ministries in urban areas, and when John and Dot were presented with this opportunity, they volunteered to serve at a Baptist Goodwill Center in East St. Louis, Illinois. This ministry provided emergency assistance, clothing, food, haircuts, recreational opportunities, Bible study, and counseling. She made many sandwiches over the years for homeless persons who found their way to her door.
In 1958, a new Baptist Goodwill Center, the Savannah Baptist Center, called John and Dot to lead that program. John served as Pastor/Director, and Dot assisted in the weekday programs working alongside Judy Burdett and Pat Ervin Hughes. In 1969 they briefly served in a similar program in Detroit, Michigan, but their hearts never left Savannah, and they returned to work at the Savannah Baptist Center until their retirement. Dot made many friends through her work at the Baptist Center which allowed her to fulfill that longing she felt at the Chicago World's Fair to meet the needs of people from different cultures who needed God's love.
Dot was a good cook. She learned how to make livermush from her mother and passed on the love of that North Carolina delicacy to her descendents.
Dot Beam is survived by one sister: Louise Harris of Southern Pines, NC, and one brother: Louis Ramsey Margie of Rutherford College, NC; two-sisters-in-law: Beulah Reynolds of Cherryville, NC and Marjorie Smith of Terrell, NC; three children: John Beam, Jr. Deanna of Savannah, GA, Mary Alexander Harvey of Schenectady, NY, and Daniel Beam of Savannah, GA; five grandchildren: Ken Beam Vonna of Nashville, TN, Natalie Holsten David of Tarakan, Indonesia, Jonathan Beam Kim of Dalton, GA. Lindsey Blakey Justin of Garden City, GA. and Joshua Beam of Savannah, GA; seven great-grandchildren and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 27, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Southside Baptist Church with Dr Allan Bosson and Reverend Dusty Reynolds officiating.

Funeral Services will also be held on Friday, August 29, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Carpenters Funeral Home in Cherryville, North Carolina with burial in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Savannah Baptist Center, 704 Wheaton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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GUEST BOOK

Sorry for your Loss we have been thinking about your Mom and Dad. They were truly wonderful People and we have Missed them since they moved away. Our thoughts and prayers our with all of you. Bonnie & Betty

- Bonnie Connolly & Betty Sommers, savannah, GA

We pray thet God comfort your hearts in this time when your mother is making her trip to be with the Lord. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Put this in writing. From now on, the Lord will bless everyone who has faith in him when they die.' The Spirit answered, 'Yes, they will rest from their hard work, and they will be rewarded for what they have done.' Revelation 14:13 GOD BLESS AND COMFORT YOU

- Pastor, Samuel Rodriguez, Savannah, GA

John, Danny, and Mary, I am so sorry I could not get to the funeral. I was in an airplane returning home at that time today. Know that you and your families are, and have been, in my prayers.

- Don Agnew, Claxton, GA

We are very grateful for you all giving us the opportunity to live with and take care of Mrs. Dot for the past few years. She has been a blessing and joy to our business as well as our personal lives. We miss her and will always remember her. Please keep in touch. We love you all.

- Joe, Donna, and Nicole Wilson, Savannah, GA

We appreciate Mrs. Beam's Christian example of a life well lived.

- Warren & Wilma Caphton, Savannah, GA

Our Condolences on the passing of a dear and beloved friend.

- Frank and Bernice Jackson, Savannah, GA

Thanks so much Ms. Dot for all of your Love and concerns for the children that frequent the 'Baptist Center' when the center was by the square. Your family touch so many lives in a positive way. Personally I'm grateful because you touch the lives of my 3 children that attended the 'Baptist Center'.God bless your family as they celebrate your life.

- T.S.Morgan, savannah, GA

OUR CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF YOUR MOTHER. MUCH LOVE

- J.D. and NORA HENRY, METTER, GA

We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time of your great loss. Although we never had the privilege of knowing Mrs. Beam, from reading her obituary it's very clear she was a Christian who took her faith seriously by serving others.

- Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Rhea, Savannah, GA

I have known the beams for a number of years now. while saddened to learn of Mrs. Beams homeging, we can take heart in the fact that she has gone home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and she had a huge welcoming committee ready to greet her, especially John Sr. To John Jr. and the rest of the family we love you and pray Gods Grace and Comfort upon you. Herb

- Herb Hilderbrand, Savannah, GA