Beverly Jean Smith Gosnell

November 14, 1926 - December 19, 2014 Beverly Jean Smith Gosnell, 88, died peacefully in her home in Serra Retreat, Malibu. Beverly was born in rural San Diego, California on November 14th 1926. During the depression, the family moved several times before returning to San Diego where her mother, Edith, raised her and brother George on a small chicken ranch. Beverly loved growing up in San Diego, and frequented Coronado Beach and Point Loma to enjoy sun and surf. Beverly attended San Diego State University and was an active member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. At the wedding of sorority sister Carolyn Gosnell, Beverly met future husband Raymond Alwood Gosnell Jr., who had returned from Beirut, Lebanon for his sister's wedding. After marrying, the newlyweds moved to Los Angeles, where Raymond pursued a career in the emerging field of Broadcast Television, while Beverly taught at several local schools, including Marlborough School for Girls in Hancock Park. After retiring from teaching, Beverly stayed active in education, serving on many PTA boards and in the Gamma Phi Beta organization, serving several years on both the UCLA and national Panhellenic boards. Beverly and Raymond moved to Malibu in 1978, where she worked for the Malibu Surfside News chronicling the unique history and noteworthy residents of Malibu. She also became active in the Malibu Historical Society and worked with the Malibu Adamson House Foundation to have the home declared a historical landmark by the State of California. Beverly was a docent and volunteer at the Adamson House for 29 years, giving her final tour in September. She was honored with Emeritus status in a lovely garden ceremony. Beverly loved golfing and tennis, gardens and nature, but most of all she loved people. She was effortlessly gracious and elegant, armed with a lilting laugh and homemade pumpkin bread; she had an innate sense of how to make one feel embraced. Beverly will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to be in her orbit. Beverly is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Raymond Gosnell. She is survived by daughter Cheryl Schwartz of Las Vegas, son Raja Gosnell of Malibu, and grandchildren Bryan, Caroline, Emily, Bradley, Cayley and Audrey. Memorial Services will be announced shortly. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Malibu Adamson House Foundation in her name.