Larry Beverly

Birth/Early Childhood
Larry Beverly was born on January 23, 1954, in Greenwood, Mississippi (LeFlore County) to the late Willie Lee Beverly and Bessie Mae Beverly (Harris). There were four siblings born before him, Arthur James Harris, Betty Jean Beverly, Mamie Lee Beverly, and Willie Lee Beverly, Jr. In 1955, the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, settling in the Haughville area of the city. Here, the family shared a double house at Blake and Michigan Avenue with his uncle (Percy Harris), aunt (Geneva), and four cousins at the time. This set the stage for the close friendship with his cousin, Roger "Rabbit" Harris. Since childhood, Larry has been inquisitive. His mechanical aptitude and spatial awareness were strengthened through work with his father, uncle Percy, brothers and neighborhood mechanics. These skills and lessons were foundational to the life Larry would go on to live.
Education
Larry attended Arsenal Technical High School for two years and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. Following high school, he went on to receive his Indiana State Teacher Certification in 1975. He attended Indiana State University Vocational College from 1978 through 1980, completing the Industrial Technology Certification Program. He later completed his college education earning both a Bachelors and a master's in business administration at the University of Phoenix.
Faith
Larry lived out his faith in Christ. He was baptized at a very young age. He rededicated his life to Christ, and was baptized by Brenda Beverly's late uncle, Pastor Robert Coleman, at Northside New Era Baptist Church in Indianapolis, where he and his wife, Brenda, attended and served. Larry later united with St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, where he actively served in multiple ministries including: co-founding and leading the Tape Ministry for 17 years; serving on the Trustee Board; training and developing youth interested in the Audio/Tech ministry, and he was a member of the Male Chorus. He was also contracted to provide snow removal for the church, occasionally providing this service to the church at no cost. Larry played an intricate role in the building of the church's new edifice on East 30th Street.
Military Service
In 1971, Larry enlisted to serve in the U. S. Army. He was stationed in Germany in a town called Idar Oberstien and Kaiser Slautern. He was attached to the 557 Quartermaster Unit and was a member of the Special Forces Team. He earned an Honorable Discharge in April of 1973. Larry continued in service to his country by joining the Indiana National Guard 38th Infantry Division and was a participant in the Leadership Academy in 1977, working with Headquarters as a Chemical Sargent. He was Honorably Discharged on July 29, 1981.
Careers/Employment
In 1968, Mrs. Julia Dabbs hired Larry to work at the Blue-Ribbon Ice Cream parlor, on 30th & Clifton streets. Impressed with his work, she hired Larry at Bar-B-Q Heaven, located at East 21st Street and North College Avenue. Larry moved on to a new opportunity at the Columbia Club, where he was quickly promoted from a pot washer to assistant waiter, setting up for large parties. Between 1974 and 1984, Larry contributed at all levels of the family business, Beverly's Tire & Welding Service. Larry loved to teach and inspire others. His knowledge of and passion for welding was deeply rooted and compelled him to share it with the next generation of craftsmen. He began teaching and became a highly sought after and recognized welding instructor for the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, specifically the J. Everett Light Career Center (JELCC), and evening Adult Learning classes (1977-1985), teaching students from North Central, and Pike, Westfield, Sheridan, Noblesville, Hamilton Southeastern, Zionsville, and Lebanon high schools
In 1982, while teaching at the JELCC, Larry worked summer months at Cryogenics and Associates as a TIG Welder. He was hired on full-time in 1984 and left in 1986 for AES Indiana (formerly Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL)). He held various roles, including Power Plant Millwright, and 15-years as a Power Plant Operator in the Perry K and Harding Street plants. He retired in 2015.
Achievements/Awards/Recognition
Larry served as Chairman of the Cumberland Parks Department Board from 1993 through 1996 and was directly involved with the successful "Concert in The Park Event" series that was sponsored by Cumberland Square Bank One.
While working at IPL, Larry was recognized for his innovation at the Young Men's Forum "Building for Tomorrow" Award night. Larry was chosen to represent the face of IPALCO's management marketing campaign collateral and TV advertisements. Larry received a Center for Leadership Development Achievers Award.
Marriage and Family
Larry fathered and maintained a close and loving relationship with his three children: Larry Beverly, Jr.; Twanna Beverly and Christina Beverly, prior to his marriage to Brenda Beverly (Gilliam). Larry and Brenda were introduced in 1978 by Theodore Rhodes who he met during the time he spent with the Indiana National Guard. Brenda and Larry were married on February 14, 1981; by her late uncle Pastor Robert Coleman of Northside Baptist church in Indianapolis, and from that union his fourth and youngest daughter, Clemesia Beverly was born. Brenda was a kind, friendly, loving woman and mother, and they enjoyed a beautiful, fulfilled life together. Larry was solely dedicated to caring for his wife and faithfully did so until her untimely death on January 2, 2014. Larry was extremely proud of his children and all they accomplished in their personal lives and careers. He was intentional in his support and showed up every opportunity he could.
Reflections
Larry was a skilled listener and quite the conversationalist as evidenced by his wise counsel to others throughout his lifetime. Many called him an exceptional teacher and mentor. Love guided Larry's behavior. He learned early during his youth, the importance of being our "brother/sister's keeper". Whether family, friend or unknown, Larry was concerned about the welfare of others. His aid may have been financial, philosophical or spiritual, and may even be hard to hear/accept, but it was genuine and well-intentioned.
Larry departed this physical life on December 3, 2024, at the age of seventy years. He was preceded in death by his mother, Bessie Beverly; father, Willie Beverly, Sr; wife, Brenda Beverly; brothers, Arthur Harris and Willie Beverly, Jr.
Larry leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy son, Larry Beverly, Jr; three daughters, Twanna Sanders (William), Christina Beverly, and Clemesia McCarty (Kevin); grandchildren, Jeff Beverly, Larry Beverly, III, Tyrese Beverly, LaDale Anthony Beverly, William Sanders, IV, Autumn Sanders, Tahj Sanders, Elijah Sanders, Christian Sanders, and Tremayne Perryman, Jr.; a host of great-grandchildren; seven brothers, Tony Beverly (Lola), Ray Beverly (Lila), Kenny Beverly (Angie), Quentin Beverly (Shawnta), Andrew Beverly (Denise); Anthony Beverly (Beatrice), and Andre Beverly (Denise); eight sisters, Betty Beverly-Stigger (Claude), Mamie Ware (Kenneth), Cynthia Taylor (Harold), Andrea Beverly, Adrian Beverly, Sonja Bracey, Chanel Henderson, and Symone Beverly; a multitude of nieces and nephews, and long-time, trusted companion and dedicated friend, Karen Howard.
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