Margaret “Peggy” Hulsey Beam

1926 - 2017

Nov. 8, 1926-Nov. 11, 2017

Margaret "Peggy" Hulsey Beam took her last breath on Saturday evening, Nov. 11, 2017, at Westminster Suncoast in St. Petersburg, Fla., surrounded by her children. She had recently celebrated her 91st birthday when a sudden onset of metastatic cancer was discovered. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to Hospice Suncoast for easing her transition into the next life.

Peggy was born Nov. 8, 1926, in West Union, W.Va., to the late Eldin and Madge Powell Cottrill. She met her husband, John Hulsey, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, in 1949. They were married, and John brought his new bride back to Warner Robbins, Ga., where John served out his enlistment in the Air Force. The couple later moved to Murrayville, Ga., where they raised their five children.

Peggy quickly adapted to her new home, recalling fondly in her last hours how her former sisters-in-law Euphemia Stephens and Olene Stevens introduced her to Southern cooking and old-time religion. Peggy earned her LPN at Lanier Technical College and practiced nursing until her retirement in 1991. She married Captain Walter Beam in 1999. The couple lived in Hampstead, N.C., before moving to Florida.

Peggy is survived by her son Ronald Hulsey and his wife Kaye of Gainesville, Ga.; daughter Martha Smalley and her husband Ray of Gaffney, S.C.; Daughter Deborah Christie and her husband Jack of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Daughter Connie Watjen and her husband Andrew of Acworth, Ga.; grandchildren Delena Croy, John G. Hulsey, Jamie Hulsey, Jay Roth, Ronald Hulsey II, John Duke, Kenneth Duke, Stephanie Cornelson, Nicholas Smalley, Jessica Odom, Sarah Watjen and John "Jackie" Christie III; 11 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Peggy is preceded in death by her brothers Eldrid, Charles, Lyle and Leroy; her sisters Joanna and Nelda; her daughter Margaret McNally; her granddaughter Tina Maddox; and her grandson David Tetrault.

A celebration of Peggy's life will be held Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment to follow. The Rev. Dr. Chris Swan will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Those she left behind may find inspiration in Peggy's favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:8. It reads, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

In keeping with that sentiment, we welcome fresh flowers in celebration of Peggy's life. Like her, their beauty and fragrance are fleeting, but the joy they bring lingers long after they are gone.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville