Beverly F. Booth

Beverly F. Booth, 91, formerly of Newton Centre, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Epoch Senior Healthcare of Weston, following a short illness. He was born Aug. 19, 1920, on Nantucket Island, the son of Beverly Francis Booth (Sr.) and Sarah (Wilkes) Booth. Early in his life, his family moved to Newton, where he attended Newton schools. He graduated from Colby College, Class of 45, and went on for advanced study in library science at Atlanta University and Syracuse University, before starting work at the library of Alabama State University, Montgomery, where he remained for 30 years. In Montgomery, he was active in the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, including through the full pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with whom he had a warm personal relationship. In 1981, following the death of his father, he retired and returned to the family home in Newton to care for his mother. He then joined the First Baptist Church in Newton in which he had been active ever since, regularly attending services until recently. Brother of the late Alan and Wendell Booth, he is survived by nieces, Berenike Balmied of Boston, and Donna Brindle of New York City; nephews, Douglas Booth and Alan Booth Jr., of New York City; several grandnieces and -nephews; and cousin, Marilyn Jefferson and her daughter, Lisa Jefferson-Castagna of Cambridge. Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 19, at noon, at First Baptist Church in Newton. Interment was in Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Beverlys memory to First Baptist Church in Newton, 848 Beacon St., Newton Centre, MA 02459. Arrangements were arranged by Burke & Blackington Funeral Home (www.BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com).