Samuel Lloyd Beatty

HEFLIN, LA - Lloyd Beatty was born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, on May 3, 1922, to Samuel Robert Beatty and Bertha Stevens Beatty. In November, after his birth, his family moved to a little farm between Sibley and Heflin. Heflin has been his home since that time. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 29, 2009 after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years Vernita Beatty, (who he always said was the prettiest girl in Hope School), daughter Sandra Beatty of Minden, son and daughter-in-law Stewart and Carolyn Beatty of Heflin, sister Lucille Felts of The Arbor in Minden, special niece Ginger Stahl of Dubberly, and a number of other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, twin brother Boyd Beatty, brothers Kenneth Beatty and Eugene Beatty.

Daddy was a loving husband and father who was faithful to his God, his family, and his friends. He was a faithful member of Heflin Baptist Church most of his life where he served as deacon most of his adult life. He loved to teach his adult SundaySchool class where he served until his eyesight failed him in recent years. He built the current building, which serves as the worship center of Heflin Baptist Church, an accomplishment that he was very proud of.

He learned how to work and be conservative at a young age on the small farm where he grew up and helped his family make a living during the depression. He always believed in hard work and could hardly stand it when his body failed him in later years. He owned and operated Beatty Service Station in Heflin for some thirty years until the sawmill shut down in the late 1960's. This enabled him to send his two children to college where they both earned degrees. After closing the station, he became a builder and built many houses in Heflin and the surrounding area for family and friends. As a sideline he enjoyed building furniture and crafts and working in his shop. He loved the outdoors, especially working in his garden where he spent countless hours. He also loved quail hunting, duck hunting, and fishing (unless it was too cold). He believed in community service and served as Mayor of the Village of Heflin for 28 years from 1966 until his retirement in 1994. During his tenure as mayor, the water system was completed, the Civic Center was built, the new Post Office was built, and the ball field was built, as well as many other projects, which improved the quality of life in Heflin. To him, his most meaningful accomplishment as mayor was being instrumental in the formation of the Heflin Volunteer Fire Department, which he faithfully served until the end. He served on the South Webster Industrial District Board for many years. He was a member of the Mackey Masonic Lodge for 62 years where he obtained a Master Mason degree.

Visitation will be Saturday, October 31, from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at Heflin Baptist Church. Services will be held Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 pm at Heflin Baptist Church. Interment will be at Madden Cemetery near Fryeburg, LA in Bienville Parish.

Special thanks to Dr. Scott Phillips and his staff for genuinely loving and caring for him.

Pallbearers will be Joe Beatty, Dr. Stewart Bundrick, Dr. Billy Bundrick, Rickey Killian, Richard Noles, Tommy Russell, Mike Liles, and Hal Boggs.

Honorary pallbearers are Ned Beatty, Kevin Beatty, Art Franklin, Dan Wooten, Ernie Bradshaw, Deacons of Heflin Baptist Church, and members of Heflin Volunteer Fire Department.

The family request that memorials be made to Heflin Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 124, Heflin, LA 71039. Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Minden, LA 318-377-3412