Beckham Family

Raymond E. Beckham, Sr., BYU BS, MA, 1949, 1969; PhD, Southern Illinois U., 1972.

Ida Lee Jackson Beckham, 65, passed away at her home in Provo, suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday, April 29, 1994.

She was born in El Paso, Texas, on August 15, 1928, the daughter of Leland A. and Ida Walser Jackson. She married Raymond E. Beckham in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple, June 17, 1947.

They have lived in Provo since that time. She was active in various musical functions, having served as president and vice president of the Utah Music Federation. She was talented in both piano and voice, and sang in many choir, trios, and quartettes. She served as ward organist for more than twenty years. She was a proficient piano teacher, having taught hundreds of students in Provo for nearly 40 years. She considered her piano students to be second only to her family in giving her joy and happiness.

Her main interest in church service was with youth. She served in numerous Primary presidencies, Young Women's presidencies and as a teacher in those church organizations and in Sunday School and the Relief Society. At the time of her passing, she was music director in the Oak Hills 6th Ward and pianist in the Primary, as well as a member of the choir. She also filled many leadership roles in Relief Society.

She accompanied her husband to Canada for a three-year mission for the LDS Church from 1973 to 1976, during the time he served as president of the Canada Calgary Mission, which included the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. A total of 627 missionaries served under their direction.

Ida Lee graduated from BYU in 1956 with a degree in elementary education. She taught kindergarten at Timpanogos Elementary School for two years before becoming a full time homemaker.

She was an interested student of world developments, and had traveled throughout the British Isles, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, Finland, the former Soviet Union, Poland, Czchekoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. She served a President of Entre Nous, and organization of BYU faculty women.

She is survived by her husband, a sister, Mary Ann Ford, of Salem; three sons, two daughters: Raymond Beckham, Jr. [BYH Class of 1966], of Denver, Colorado; Eric M. (Rick) Beckham [BYH Class of 1969], of Merced, Calif.; Randall L. Beckham, of Sandy; Renae Kirkham, of Orem; Raleen Wahlin, of San Diego, Calif.; 15 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, an older brother, Carl, and one granddaughter.

Funeral services were held in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, May 3, 1994. [Deseret News, Sunday, May 1, 1994]

Following the passing of his first wife, Raymond Beckham Sr., married Janette Beckham, former General Young Women's President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Janette Beckham served for five years as the general president of the Young Women’s organization. She was also a counselor to Ardeth Greene Kapp [BYH Class of 1949] in the general presidency of Young Women, and served as a member of the Primary General Board.