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BORN
1995
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
River Beatty Obituary
St. George
Trevor "River" Beatty, 22, passed away May 15, 2017. He was born April 11, 1995 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado to Boyd DeWayne Beatty and Melanie Robinson Merrill.
Trevor was creative, active, and curious about the world around him. Trevor had a love for the arts. He participated in dancing, singing, and musical theater in the community. He starred as the Prince in the Nutcracker for three seasons. Trevor enjoyed playing the piano and singing. He would learn a song in minutes. Trevor had an affinity for ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Native American history, and learned to read and write both Egyptian and Chinese languages.
River's death came after a lifelong struggle of being, in her words, "born with a body that was not my own." Most people who knew River were attuned to her inner chaos and struggle. River identified as transgender, and began transitioning from male to female. Throughout her life, there were those who antagonized her because of her gender identity which made it difficult to communicate her truth until recently. River turned to substances as a coping strategy to manage her emotional pain. Despite the bullying and addiction, River was able to experience accomplishment and joy. River was a spiritual person, intuitive, inclusive, kind to all, and loved by many.
River is survived by parents Boyd DeWayne Beatty, Melanie Robinson Merrill; birth mother, Tracy Green (Idaho); grandparents, Joan and Mark Nixon (St. George, UT), C.H. and Phyllis Robinson (Herriman, UT); and great-grandparents, Charles and Peggy Nixon (Evanston, WY).
Preceded in death by sister, Jaymie LeShae Beatty and grandmother, Fern Corwin (Evanston, WY).
There will be a viewing Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, UT. Graveside services will follow at the Washington City Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign River's guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for River Beatty
Sponsored by Spilsbury Mortuary - St. George.
DALLAS CHOATE
February 13, 2019
I HOPE EVERYTHING WITH YOUR FAMILY IS GOOD I WAS WITH YOU FOR OVER I YEAR YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART YOU WAS THE FIRST PERSON I WAS ENGADGED TO AND YOU DIED WHY I WAS IN PRISON ILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU ME AND KIRA MISS YOU LOVE DALLY
May 16, 2018
Thinking about River and her kind soul.
Jane, someone who cares
December 25, 2017
Jane, someone who cares
September 10, 2017
Continued prayers for the mother and family of River...God Bless you...
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Alexandra
May 29, 2017
Melanie, it's Trevors old friend Alex. You invited me to go to your house after the funeral and I forgot the address and I feel so bad because I wanted to tell you guys what a great kind soul he had. I have so many amazing memories with him, before all the chaos of life and the demons we all collect over our lives. I am so blessed to look back and smile I remember he had his bed on the stag upstairs and we would hot tub together to us ditching school together. We would it songs together in middle school and I still have a page of the lyrics and I still have that sweet note he gave me the first year we met. I still can't believe he is gone. It makes me so sad he was and is a huge part of my life, I will carry him forever. You all are always in my prayers.
Krystal
May 21, 2017
I went to her viewing and was so hurt inside that i was lost of words to her father, I wanted to say i wish she was still with us and somehow i could've known her and maybe be a comfort to let her know that she was not alone. That the transgender community and people out there can support her. condolences to her family. and a side note there was a young man that was sitting in the corner with a skateboard native american i believe i hope he is doing well i felt bad that i never said anything to him [email protected]
~ Jane, someone who cares....
May 21, 2017
Such a tremendous loss. To the Parents, and Family of River....I never met you or your loved one and I am SO very sorry to read about her passing to the tragedies of this world. I'll sincerely be praying for the Promises of Our Heavenly Father to continuously sustain you through this most unimaginable difficult time and comfort you until you are reunited with your beloved River again....my sincerest heartfelt condolences to all who knew this beautiful young woman....God Bless you for sharing River's story....I believe River is now completely SAFE IN THE ARMS OF OUR LOVING SAVIOR.....
Joyce Ewald
May 20, 2017
She is loved by many and remembered fondly. Grieve not your loss but celebrate the time you had with her. Finally at Peace.... I'm Devin's granny and trusting they are having a loving reunion.
Marian Bergin
May 19, 2017
Dear family of River Beatty, You don't know me, but my heart is tender with your loss. I am a Mama Dragon who has buried 2 sons, and I remember being numb with shock and pain. I mourn with you and weep for the days that could have been. May you find peace and cherish the wonder of her life.
Patrice
May 19, 2017
May the thought of knowing that friends family and God share your grief be of comfort to your family. (Pro 17:17)
Shari Gillins
May 19, 2017
River, I loved your humanity. A heart full of unconditional love and acceptance. May God hold you in perfect completeness as you so desired. He knows your soul. I was blessed to share a short time with you on your journey. I love you and appreciate your spirit. Til we meet again.
God Bless your mom and family.
Stefanie Jennings
May 19, 2017
I met River just a couple of times, but the sunshine in her soul was obvious to me. She was kind, considerate and loving. I will always remember her fondly. May her sweet spirit and memories sustain your family until you all can be together again.
May 19, 2017
You will forever be in my heart. I will always aspire to be as brave and strong as you. The world lost a special angel may your spirit finally have comfort and joy. I love u....jenn
David Whalen
May 19, 2017
Boyd and Melanie, Susan and I are heartbroken for your loss. The cards we are dealt in life are hard to understand. Sometimes the only answer is peace, because there is no logic or understanding. May you have peace. There are so many questions that cannot be answered. We found that friends who cared and mourned with us were a great source of comfort during these times. Our prayers and tears are on your behalf.
May God bless you both.
Mitch McBride
May 19, 2017
I am so so sorry to hear that River is gone. She was so kind. I plead with our society to stop the bullying. Let there be some degree of good come from her death. Let it bring change to the hearts of those who so desperately need it.
Debbie Springsteen
May 19, 2017
May you rest in peace sweet angel, you got your wings too soon. Wishing your family peace, strength and healing. Debbie and Stephen Springsteen
Debbie Springsteen
May 19, 2017
May you rest in peace sweet angel, you got your wings too soon. Wishing your family peace, strength and healing. Debbie and Stephen Springsteen
Doug Bullock
May 19, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. I will always remember Moon-River fondly and have wonderful memories of several times spent with you all during the past few years. She leaves behind a wonderful family and I know they will all be a great source of comfort and support to one another. Transgender people come from all walks of life. They are dads and moms, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. They are your coworkers, and your neighbors. They are 7-year-old children and 70-year-old grandparents. They are a diverse community, representing all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as faiths. It's heartbreaking and upsetting that there has to be isolation, hiding and secrets leading to depression and anxiety. Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts and minds to understand. There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go, and those that come into our lives and we don't know why, until later. My sincere condolences and may we all find comfort and the strength to cope to become advocates working together to end bullying and abusers.
May 19, 2017
Melanie and family, I cannot tell you how truly sorry I am for your loss. May the peace of Yeshua be with all of you. My prayers will be with all of you for your healing, comfort and peace at this time.
Lori
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Spilsbury Mortuary - St. George110 South Bluff Street, Saint George, UT 84770
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