Audrey Lois Perkins Beck

Audrey Lois Perkins Beck

January 17, 1929 – April 15, 2023

A Memorial Service for Audrey Lois Perkins Beck will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Southwest Church of Christ, 2600 South 124^th Street, Omaha, Nebraska.

Mrs. Beck, 94, passed away peacefully at Sunshine Assisted Living, Queen Creek, AZ, on April 15, 2023.

Audrey was born the third of four children to William Jennings Bryan Perkins and Emma Alvira Dickens Perkins on January 17, 1929, in Dixon, Missouri, where she lived until graduation from Dixon High School in 1946.

The summer of 1946 Audrey began attending Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, and while there met Burrel H. Beck, a native of Corridon, Missouri. Audrey and Burrel were neighbors and shared a group of friends for outings which led to a romantic interest. Audrey married Burrel Thanksgiving Day1946. After Burrel completed his Bachelor of Science degree, the family moved to West Plains, Missouri where Burrel taught high school and Audrey managed the household that included their three children. In 1965 the family moved to Columbia, Missouri while Burrel completed advanced degrees, after which the family moved to Coffeyville, Kansas, and later to Omaha, Nebraska. Audrey attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska in Omaha with a BA degree in 1979. Audrey then worked for the State of Nebraska in job services until her retirement at age 67 in 1996.

Audrey and Burrel were faithful and active members of the Church of Christ in every place they lived. Audrey was a deeply loving person and her care for others was boundless. They enjoyed a robust community of family and friends. Audrey was particularly focused toward preserving relationships with those living at a distance through her prolific letter writing and regular telephone calls and maintained regular contact with many of the Perkins and Beck families. She and Burrel were especially close with his sister, Louella and her husband Lloyd.

Audrey’s personal warmth and hospitality were well known among family, friends, and work associates. Many were entertained through a wide range of large hospitality events both for those in their church environments and in support of Burrel’s work in education. Together they hosted many overnight guests, and Audrey provided delightful meals for a variety of occasions including for individuals and families who were experiencing illness or stress.

In her later years, and after Burrel passed away in 2008, her church family and neighbors helped her by driving her to appointments, running errands, providing food, lawn work, hosting bible study groups in her home, and facilitating professional services. We are especially appreciative of her neighbors Teresa and Greg Houck, and the numerous members of the Southwest Church of Christ including Millie Carnes, Kristin Corman, Anne DeBoer, Sandi Ellison, Kathy Hamilton, Martha Hill, Loma Howard (late), Georgia Parment, Heather Smalley, Karen Stoney, Kathy Von Dollen, Martha White, Donna Wiebusch, and their families. Audrey moved from Omaha to Chandler AZ in December of 2020 to live near her son, Ron, and his wife Chansy. We are grateful for the kind and loving attention Audrey received from Eli and Larissa Moroshan at Sunshine Assisted Living during her last year.

Audrey is survived by her son, Ronald A. Beck, (Chansy) of Chandler, AZ, two daughters, Linda R. Wallingford of Columbus, OH, Lola Kay Beck Howarter of West Lafayette, IN, seven grandchildren, Christopher Beck, David Wallingford (Lonelle Yoder), Jane Wallingford (Peter Shaw), Cynthia Wallingford (Scott Hurff), Jim Wallingford (Chelsi), John Howarter (Kendra Erk), Carolyn Howarter (Christopher Cornelius), and ten great-grandchildren, Alexandria Shaw, Andrew Shaw, Henry Hurff, Charlotte Hurff, Claire Hurff, George Wallingford, Theodore Wallingford, James Wallingford, Jack Howarter, and Kai Howarter; and nephews, Herbert Perkins (Elaine), Gary Ramsey, nieces, Phyllis Ramsey Fischer Lane, Sherrie Perkins Tyberant; sisters-in-law, Louella Beck Pope (Lloyd), Tressie Beck Prince, brothers-in-law, Robert Beck, Fred Beck, and many Beck family nieces and nephews.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Burrel, her parents-in-law, Arthur and Ethel Beck, son-in-law, George (Walt) Wallingford, sister, Ethel Perkins Ramsey Meredith (Robert), brothers, Donald Perkins, Robert Perkins, nephews, Dean Perkins, Mark Perkins, and Jeff Perkins; brothers-in-law Orville Beck, Gordon Beck (Doris), Cordell Beck (Irene); sistersin- law, Betty Jo Beck, Tibby Beck, and Velma Beck.

The family requests that those who wish to make a memorial gift in Audrey’s name, please consider: Sunshine Assisted Living, 21984 E. Domingo Road, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142, or Southwest Church of Christ, 2600 S. 124th Street, Omaha, NE, 68144.