Helen Jean Beckers

Helen Jean Beckers, age 98, passed away peacefully at home with her family on January 15th in Gainesville, Georgia. Born on August 15, 1926 in Lonoke, Arkansas, on a farm outside Little Rock, the daughter of Andrew Clifford Brumett and Helen Alice Rice.

Jean completed her high school education in Albion, Illinois before moving to Las Vegas with her extended family. After an early marriage and divorce, Jean moved to Westwood, CA and attended UCLA. Her many talents and connections led her to play a significant role in the Las Vegas local Republican party, working on successful political campaigns for Nevada Governor Robert List and President Richard Nixon. During this time, she met and married Lt. Col. Lyle Beckers in 1975. Together, they obtained their real estate and broker licenses and started their own real estate brokerage, pursuing various entrepreneurial interests.

In 1983 Jean and Lyle retired to Napa, CA in 1983, where Lyle continued to work in commercial real estate while Jean remained active in the Napa Valley Republican Women, and volunteered with the American Red Cross and Napa County Library, among other organizations. Jean dedicated many years to renovating a historic Napa home, including adding a guest house where her mother Helen lived. In 2008, they moved to Gainesville, GA. Through her 80s and early 90s, Jean was a bundle of energy, taking care of her husband through the stages of Alzheimer's and enjoying life in the South once again. Jean had many hobbies throughout her lifetime, including cooking, travel, (including a trip to Europe and Peru in the last 10 years) visiting friends and family, obtaining her private pilot’s license, and collecting jewelry, stamps, coins, art and pottery. Jean was known for her charm, a can-do attitude, devilish sense of humor and zest for life.

Jean will be laid to rest at Arlington National cemetery next to the “love of her life” Lyle Beckers. A funeral service will be held [tbd].

Jean is survived by her step-daughters, Patti Latimer, Lisa Beckers (Michael Gershbein) and Laurice Repke (Robert Repke); her step-grandchildren Joseph Latimer, Dana Latimer, Louden Gershbein, Rachel Repke and Truman Repke; her niece Linda Scattergood; her nephew Bob McBrearty (Mary McBrearty); her grandnephews Ryan McBrearty and Aaron McBrearty; and her grandnieces Christie Lynn McBrearty, Sydney Quick and Lindsay Chung. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister Bobbie McBrearty, sister Katherine Knight, nephew Rodney and her devoted husband of almost 40 years.

Jean will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.