Claudia Justus Beaton

Claudia Justus Beaton, 87, of Paragould, formerly of Rector, died Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Greene Acres Nursing Home.

Born July 29, 1918, in Calico Rock to the late Thadius Claude Justus and Kate Justus, she was a graduate of Rector High School and was a bank cashier for over 30 years at the Bank of Rector and Security Bank at Marmaduke.

Mrs. Beaton served as Deputy Tax Collector of Clay County for her husband until moving to Conway and retiring with the University of Central Arkansas. She was a talented and recognized artist in oil and watercolor and sewed and knitted beautiful garments for her family and friends. She was a member of Paragould's First United Methodist Church.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a step-mother, Wilene Brawley Justus; one son, Major Kenneth Beaton, and one brother, Edwin Justus.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Robert Leon Beaton; two sons, Paul Beaton of Cordova, Tenn., and Dr. Robert Leon Beaton Jr. of Summerfield, N.C.; three daughters, Ann Stallcup of Rector, Kay McCord of Pocahontas and Tammy Thompson of Little Rock, 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the First United Methodist Church in Rector with Rev. Larry Martineau and Paul Dubar officiating. Burial was in Linwood Cemetery in Paragould with Mitchell Funeral Home of Paragould in charge of arrangements.

Active pallbearers were her sons-in-law, Richard Thompson, Wes Stallcup and Jack McCord, and grandsons, Todd Beaton, Nathan Stallcup and Blake McCord.

Honorary pallbearers were grandsons Jason and Rett Thompson and Mike, Sawyer and Dax Beaton.

Memorials may be made to the Greene County Senior Bees at Paragould.