As the words of “Amazing Grace” were sungby those surrounding her bedside, Gladys Irene Beach Taylor, 76,left this world on Feb. 15, 2012. Never a more beautiful ending tosuch a hard battle fought. She was no longer burdened by the painher cancer caused. A strong willed, confident woman, Gladys wasborn on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1935. She was the first bornof ten children to Spurgeon and Myrtle Beach, of Roxie. Her role asbig sister and “little mama” to her siblings was never forgotten.On her 76th birthday, to her surprise, the remaining eight siblingsgathered at her home for an afternoon of reminiscing about the lovethey shared growing up and included a tribute to their “littlemama.”

    She is survived by her brothers, Lamar Beach, Donald Beach andwife, Terry, Roy Beach and wife, Phyllis, of Natchez, Billy Beachand wife, Jenny, Bobby Beach and wife, Lattiemore, and Gary Beach,of Roxie; sisters, Margie Rogers and Helen Spence and husband,Gene, of Brookhaven; sister-in-law, Dot Beach, of Roxie; specialfriend, Charles B. Smith; and a host of nieces and nephews.

    In addition to her parents, Mrs. Taylor was preceded in death byher husband, Lealon H. Taylor; a brother, Wayne Beach; two nephews,Michael Beach and Trent Beach; and two sisters-in-aw, LeatriceBeach and Shirley Beach.

    Although God did not bless her with her own children, she played aspecial part in the lives of her many special nieces and nephews.These children did not grow “under her heart” but “in it.” Sheworked in hotel management most of her life and in her retirementloved to garden and spend time with the family who loved her sodearly.

    Visitation will be from 9 until 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, withthe funeral immediately following visitation. Riverwood FamilyFuneral Service is in charge of services, with burial at Gum GroveBaptist Church.

    To express your thoughts to the family, you may visitriverwoodfamily.com and click on her name to leave a comment.