Erna “Ann” Paul Beckworth, 82, beloved wife of James M. Beckworth, passed away Friday, February 14, 2014, at home after battling months of medical setbacks. A funeral service to celebrate her life was held at Northeast Presbyterian Church in Columbia on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. with burial in Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. The family received friends before the service from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the church Grand Hall.
Born in Landau, Germany on November 1, 1931, Ann was the daughter of the late Friedrich and Lina Paul. She grew up in Kaiserslautern, Germany and met her would be husband, Jim (Mack), while he was stationed at Panzer Kaserne. They married on December 31, 1952 in both Mannheim (civil ceremony) and Kaiserslautern (Luthern Church service).
She was a devoted mother and Army wife, who lived her life to serve her husband and children. She endured several deployments of her husband and carried the household without hesitation.
Ann was a Girl Scout Leader in Aschaffenburg, Germany, leading scout troops to London, England for trips. She served as the consummate classroom mother and team mother, making cookies, cupcakes and pre-game meals whenever “volunteered.” Ann substituted at Richland Northeast high school and volunteered in the Foreign Language Department. She never missed a ball game of her son, daughters or granddaughters.
Ann was a member of Northeast Presbyterian Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. She was an avid bowler, bowling on several leagues, the Ann Pantsari Housewives League, the Friday Scratch League and the Retired Officer’s League. She had the high game for women in South Carolina in 1985 with a 290 game.
Left to cherish her are her husband of 61 years, Major James M. Beckworth, US Army Retired; son, John P. Beckworth (Patsy); daughters, Patty Beckworth Lamont, Cindy B. Cummings (Rocky); and grandchildren; Billy Beckworth, Catherine Lamont, Emma Cummings, and Maria Cummings, who all loved their OMA.
She was predeceased by her parents, Friedrich and Lina Paul, and her son, Michael Friedrich Beckworth. Memorials may be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church (Friendship Sunday School Class), 601 Polo Road, Columbia S.C.29223.