Joretta "Jo" Beeson

1932 - 2024

Joretta 'Jo' Beeson

1932 ~ 2024

Joretta Beeson passed away on 11 Aug 2024 in Moab, Grand Co, UT at the Canyonlands Care Center. She was born 3 Aug 1932 in Providence, Webster Co, KY to Carmon Curtis Nall and Russie Lillian Turner. She attended schools in the Providence and Clay area.

Jo married Paul Baker 21 Nov 1947, to this union were born two daughters, Pauletta and Merry Louise. They later divorced. Jo married Robert B. 'RB' Stewart 27 Dec 1952 in NJ where he was stationed at Fort Dix. They lived on base until he came up for reenlistment in the Army and the family was being sent to Germany, but Jo wanted to go home to KY. To this union were born a daughter Brenda Kay and a son Eddie Curtis.

The family moved to Moab in Sep 1961. Jo worked as a cook in a number of restaurants over the years, cooking for all the movies being filmed in the area. She eventually opened her own "Jo's Café." Unfortunately, the cafe burned along with an attached lounge. RB passed away in 1975.

A co-worker introduced Jo to her father Jack C. 'JC' Beeson and they became inseparable. Jo and JC married 12 Mar 1976 in Moab and they ranched up in Fisher Valley and in Pendleton, OR. Jo was employed by the State of Utah as the caretaker at the I-70 Rest Area East of Thompson for a number of years. But eventually they came back to Moab to make their home.

Jo was a quilter and won many prizes for her creations; she was an avid reader; an excellent cook; and she loved to bake pastries such as bread, dinner and cinnamon rolls, pies and cakes were her specialty. She never used a recipe: it was all by feel she would say. She grew a large vegetable garden and they also raised chickens and pigeons. She also grew a large Iris garden, her favorite flower. The back porch overhang was lined with hummingbird feeders and most days she had to fill them twice a day. JC passed away in 2016 at which time Jo lived alone until she had a stroke and then moved into the Canyonlands Care Center.

Jo was a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; the National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865; the United Daughters of the Confederacy; and the National Society United States Daughters of 1812.

Joretta is survived by three daughters: Pauletta Chacon of West Jordan and children Robbie, Roderick, Michael, and Christopher; Merry (Mike) Barker of West Jordan and children Jozette and Rachel; and Brenda (Bill) Reeder of Taylorsville and children Jeriad and Brandy; and one son Eddie (Cheryl) Stewart of Moab and children Amy, Robert, Douglas, Ryan, Logan, Cory and Brenden; 24 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Preceded in death by her parents; all three husbands; her brothers Junior Nall and Carlos Wayne Nall; her sister Betty Sue McKinley; a great grandson Draven Stewart; and a great granddaughter Amanda Jean Gibson.

We would like to thank the entire staff at the Canyonlands Care Center for their love and the care provided to our mother over these past eight years.