Mildred Beck

Mildred Kathleen Beck, passed away at her home in Cleveland, Oklahoma on Monday, October 6, 2014, at the age of 84 years, four months and sixteen days. Mildred was born May 21, 1930 in Coffeyville, Kansas. She was the daughter of Emmett Joseph and Myrtle Ruth (Davis) Burns. Mildred attended school and later graduated from Gravitt High School in Gravitt, Arkansas. Following high school Mildred attended Western Kentucky University and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and History in 1951. During her time in Kentucky, Mildred worked at the college library, during this time is probably when she decided she ultimately wanted to be a librarian. Following college Mildred moved to St. Elmo, Illinois. Mildred gained employment at St. Elmo Community High School and worked part-time at the library. In 1955, Mildred returned to Coffeyville, Kansas and worked at Nowata High School, teaching American and World History. In 1956, she accepted a position with Roosevelt Junior High School also as a librarian. In 1957, Mildred returned to college and gained her Master of Arts in Library Science in Nashville, Tennessee. Mildred also attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas and Emporia State University. On July 23, 1961, Mildred was united in marriage to Cecil Arthur Beck in Coffeyville, Kansas. The couple remained in Coffeyville and to that union there are two children Kathleen and Stuart. In 1969, Mildred began working part time at the Coffeyville, Community College until 1973. From 1973 till 1978, Mildred returned to Roosevelt Junior High and from 1978 till 1994, gained employment at Southeast Kansas Experiment Station. While working at the experiment station Mildred worked as a clerk typist. In 1994, Mildred retired she later moved to Enid in 1998. In 2006, Mildred moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma where she has continued to reside. Mildred at one time was a very active part of the First Baptist Church in Edna, Kansas. For many years she was a Church librarian as well as a Sunday school teacher. Mildred also volunteered at the Montgomery County Genealogy Society. She was also a former active part of the Jane Dean Coffey Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Mildred enjoyed the time she traveled to see her daughter to Peru, South America. She also always enjoyed the yearly vacations as her children were growing up. Survivors are her daughter Kathleen Muth and her husband Dan of Ft. Lupton, Colorado, son Stuart Beck and his wife Lori of Cleveland, Oklahoma; grandchildren Monica Riddle and her husband Justin of Ft. Lupton, Colorado, Elizabeth Alcantar and her husband Eli of Okinawa, Japan, Phillip Muth, Andrea Muth both of Ft. Lupton, Colorado, Maranda Sharp of Enid, Oklahoma as well as numerous other relatives and friends that will mourn her passing. In addition to her parents Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Cecil Arthur Beck in November of 1968. Church Services will be held 10:00 am Friday, October 10, 2014 at the First Christian Church with David Logsdon officiating. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas at 2:30 pm. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Mildred to Gideon's or Grace Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.