Mary Harlene Beatty

1911 - 2016

Mary Harlene Beatty, 105

MUNCIE - Mary Harlene Beatty, 105, documented as the oldest African American female in the state of Indiana, transitioned from this earthly life into eternal rest on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at Signature Health Services.

She entered this life on January 8, 1911 the same day the U.S. invaded Honduras and the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. Affectionately known as May, she was one of three children and the only girl born to Ephraim and Mary Jane Garth. Born and raised in Monticello, KY, May attended local schools and graduated from Travis High School.

Mary accepted Christ at age 11 and united with St. John AME Church where she was an active member until 1937, when she moved to Muncie and married Howard Grimes. In 1943, she rededicated her life to Christ and joined the Church of Christ, later known as Midtown Church of Christ of which she became a founding member, held several positions and was honored for her service and commitment to God and the church.

On February 19, 1964 she married Cecil D. Beatty. Later that year they became the proud adoptive parents of newborn John Lyndon Fitzgerald and the following year came Kimberly, events according to Mary, along accepting Christ, were her happiest moments.

Her culinary skills were a work of art and from the heart. She loved to bake, peach cobbler, 7up cake and homemade rolls were just a few her specialties. She served scores in her home and while employed at the Edmund F. Ball family home, Big Wheel, Flamingo, Holiday Inn and Pizza King. May had a remarkable work ethic; she was also employed by the Ball Store Collegiate Shop, Muncie Chevrolet, and retired in 1978 as a private home health care aide.

Mary was kind and generous, she recognized that it was better to give than to receive and was known to give to charities, ministries and missions across the globe. Treating people the way she wanted to be treated was her personal philosophy. Robust in spirit even after age 100 she would rise daily giving thanks, wash her face and hands, make her bed, fix her breakfast, read a chapter in her bible, pray and then she was ready to do what needed to be done. Watching TV Land and playing on the floor with grand and great grandkids were also common staples.

Often asked what she attributed to her longevity she said "The only answer I can give is that even before the moment of conception the Lord gives us a time to be born and a time to die, in between we are given an assignment and we are here until the assignment is complete. She also added that she believed not only her faithfulness to God, but God's faithfulness to her, plus the ability to laugh, read, pray and eat the food that the Father allowed harvested was key.

She leaves two children who have rise and call her blessed; son, John (Phyillies) Beatty; a daughter, Kimberly Beatty, she also leaves to cherish her memory grandchildren, Orlando Branson, Danny J. Branson, Christasia Wilson; great-grandchildren, Jermaine, Devon and Danny Branson; sister-in-law, Geraldine Springer; special friends, Melba Warren, Jollophy Branson, Edwin Davis and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ephraim Garth and Mary Jane Clark; brothers, Joseph Allen Rankin and William Everett (Jack) Garth and great-grandchild, Karson Jessie Jones Branson.

The family would like to thank all the physicians, nurses and staff including Mary Reynolds of Signature Health, Gentiva Hospice, and everyone for all your prayers and kind deeds.

A visitation memorial will be held on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Midtown Church of Christ 901 East Willard Street from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Services to celebrate her life will be 12:00 p.m. Saturday, September 17, 2016 at The Church of The Living God 1120 East Washington Street with a visitation one hour prior to the service.