Beverly F. Booth Jr.

BOOTH, Beverly F. 91, formerly of Newton Centre, died, December 15, 2011 at Epoch Senior Healthcare of Weston, following a short illness. He was born August 19, 1920 on Nantucket Island, the son of Beverly Francis Booth (Sr.) and Sarah (Wilkes) Booth. Early in his life his family moved to Newton, where he attended Newton Schools. He graduated from Colby College, Class of '45, and went on for advanced study in library science at Atlanta University and Syracuse University before starting work in the library of Alabama State University, Montgomery, where he remained for 30 years. In Montgomery, he was active in the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, including through the full pastorate of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with whom he had a warm personal relationship. In 1981, following the death of his father, he retired and returned to the family home in Newton to care for his mother. He then joined the First Baptist Church in Newton in which he's been active ever since, regularly attending services until recently. Brother of the late Alan and Wendell Booth, he is survived by nieces, Berenike Balmied of Boston and Donna Brindle of New York City; nephews, Douglas Booth and Alan Booth, Jr. of New York City; several grand nieces and nephews; and cousin, Marilyn Jefferson and her daughter, Lisa Jefferson-Castagna of Cambridge. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Newton, on Monday, December 19, 2011, at 12 noon. Interment in Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to First Baptist Church In Newton, 848 Beacon St., Newton Centre, MA 02459. BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com