Leah Johnson Beeson
Feb 16, 1923 - Sep 7, 2026
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Leah Beeson, 103, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born on February 16, 1923, in Morris, Oklahoma, to Elton and Ruby (Bohannon) Johnson.
Growing up as a child of the Great Depression, Leah learned early the values of perseverance, resourcefulness, and determination. Though her family did not have much, she excelled in school and graduated as salutatorian of her high school class. Those early experiences helped shape the strong and courageous woman she would remain throughout her life.
On August 29, 1947, Leah married Dr. Donald Beeson in Chicago. Together, they built a life centered around family, faith, and service to others. Leah devoted herself to being a homemaker while also serving as the business manager for her husband. They shared many wonderful years of marriage until Donald's passing in 2015.
Leah was a devout Christian woman whose faith remained a constant source of strength throughout her life. Even as she experienced the challenges of hearing and vision loss, she faced each day with courage and determination.
Leah and Donald had a heart for their community. They were members of the First Baptist Church and together, they helped begin and recruit volunteers for the Salvation Army's Christmas bell-ringing efforts. Their dedication to serving others was recognized when they were honored as Citizens of the Year in Pryor.
Intelligent and remarkably sharp, Leah enjoyed keeping her mind active. She was a talented bridge player and especially enjoyed playing online with people from around the world. She also loved working crossword puzzles and continued doing them well into her late 90s until her vision failed. Leah had a wonderful sense of humor that brought laughter to her family and those around her.
Among life's simpler pleasures, Leah loved cats and had a special fondness for chocolate. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who treasured her family dearly. Her determination and spirited personality could perhaps best be summed up by one of her favorite sayings: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" It was a fitting expression for a woman who continued moving forward with courage, humor, and faith throughout more than a century of life.
Leah was preceded in death by her parents, Elton and Ruby Johnson; her husband, Dr. Donald Beeson; her son, John Warren Beeson; and her brother, Edsel Warren Johnson.
She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Beeson and husband Glenn Craig of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Donna Schenck and husband Tony of Pryor, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Kelly Beeson Ahern, Matt Schenck, and Ben Schenck; great-grandchild, Calista Schenck; and many other relatives and friends who will cherish her memory.
Leah leaves behind a remarkable legacy of faith, intelligence, humor, perseverance, and service to others. After 103 years of meeting life's joys and challenges with determination, she leaves her family with countless memories and the enduring example of a life well lived. She and her family cling to Rev. 21:4, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Porta Caeli, Salvation Army, or John 3:16. The family would also like to express their gratitude to Porta Caeli for their loving care.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, September 14, 2026, in the Shipman's Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery. To leave a message, please visit her guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service of Pryor.
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