Beverly Myers

When reflecting on the life of Beverly Myers, it is easy to see that her faith in Jesus Christ was first and foremost in her life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who took great joy in her loved ones. Beverly enjoyed traveling and saw some of the most amazing places, but what made these experiences so extraordinary was sharing them with the ones she loved. Life will never be the same without her here, but her family finds comfort in knowing that she is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home.

The 1920s were a time of great prosperity and change in the United States. During this time Erving and Hazel (Yarrington) Morgan welcomed the birth of their second daughter on December 20th, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As was common for the time, she was born at home on Burton Street. They named her Beverly Ann. Her father was an engineer for American Seating Company while her mother was a homemaker. She was one of four children as she was raised alongside her siblings, Barbara, Robert, and Jack. Beverly was very close to all of her siblings, and she enjoyed spending holidays with extended family.

In many ways Beverly was a young girl of her generation. Of great significance during her growing up years was that she was led to the Lord by her cousin, Merle, who was living with them and helping to care for the children. As a family, they had amazing summers at Silver Lake State Park. Her father would pack the camping equipment, drive the family there, and then set up the tent. Beverly’s father would drive home to work for the week and join them on weekends. Later on, they built a cottage on Silver Lake. She made friends with ease, and she enjoyed outdoor sports like skating, tobogganing, camping, and swimming. In fact, Beverly once swam across Silver Lake! The Morgan family did feel the stress and strain of the Great Depression. As a result, they moved quite a bit while Beverly was growing up. This greatly impacted her, and she resolved to raise her children in one home, so they would never know the stress of having to change schools. Beverly’s high school years found her at Ottawa High, and she once suffered a broken clavicle bone as the result of a tobogganing accident. After graduating from high school, Beverly went on to earn her BA in Education from Michigan State University.

New and exciting changes were in store for Beverly when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Robert Myers, and they met while she was student teaching in Charlotte, Michigan. He was on staff there, and he would wait and talk with Beverly at the bus stop as she waited for her bus. They began dating, and after two years, Beverly and Robert were married on August 15, 1953, at Trinity Lutheran Chapel in Grand Rapids. After taking a honeymoon to the Wisconsin Dells and the Upper Peninsula, the newlyweds moved into an apartment for a short time before moving to a house at 1850 Jerome Street in Grand Rapids. A few years later they moved to 724 Evelyn St. N.E. in Grand Rapids where they raised their four children: Scott, Rebecca, Rick, and Priscilla.

After the love she had for her Lord, there was never anything of greater significance in Beverly’s life than her family. She fully devoted herself to caring for her children while they were growing up, having left her work as a third-grade teacher. As a family they enjoyed family camping vacations to places like Yellowstone National Park, Mt Rushmore, New England, the Upper Peninsula, Minnesota, and trips to Niagara Falls, Washington D.C., Florida, and Idaho. As a mother she was very loving and nurturing, and Beverly was there for her children whenever they needed her. She was an amazing cook, and she was known for her beautiful birthday cakes when family members had a birthday. Once her youngest child started high school, Beverly began teaching preschool at her church.

During her sunset years, Beverly continued to embrace the days she was given. She and Robert did some more traveling as they visited Europe, Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Hawaii, in addition to spending their winters in Florida. Beverly was thrilled to become a grandmother, and her 10 grandchildren brought constant joy to her life. As a committed Christian her church was very important to Beverly beginning when she was growing up and attended Wealthy Street Baptist. She was a very active member of Berean Baptist church for over 60 years as she taught many children’s classes and kept the “cradle roll” for many years. Beverly’s heart for children led her to teach “good news clubs” during the school year, and “five-day clubs” during the summer months. Beverly loved studying her Bible, and she also enjoyed reading J. Vernon McGee, Chuck Swindoll, and David Jeremiah. She also enjoyed hymns and other church music. Beverly always cherished the various wooden articles made by her Grandpa Yarrington. She also treasured the many crafts that her grandchildren gave to her over the years.

All who knew Beverly Myers would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was an inspirational role model, her life exemplifying what it means to be a servant of the Lord she loved. Beverly cherished her family and was proud to witness her family tree blossom to include 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She had a passion for children, and her life mission was to bring others to embrace the Christian faith she held dear. Beverly will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

MYERS, Beverly A.

Age 90, went to be with her Lord on January 8, 2019 in Wheaton, IL. Beverly was born December 20, 1928, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of the late Erving & Hazel (Yarrington) Morgan. She was a graduate of Ottawa High School and Michigan State University with a degree in teaching. She had a passion for children, taught Child Evangelism Fellowship and was constant in sharing the joy she had in Christ. She was a member for over 60 years of Berean Baptist Church. Beverly was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert Myers; brother, Robert Morgan & sister-in-law, Barb Morgan. Beverly is survived by her children, R. Scott (Jackie) Myers of Pittsburgh, PA, Rebecca L. De Renzo of Wheaton, IL, Rick E. Myers of Alto, and Priscilla E. (Len) Collins of Wyoming; grandchildren, K.C., Drew, Leslie, Jordan, Sharah, Matthew, Michael, Joshua, Johnathan, and Gabriel; 19 great grandchildren; siblings, Barbara Stevens & Jack (Judy) Morgan; and many nieces & nephews. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 12 at 4 PM at Berean Baptist Church, 1574 Coit Ave NE. Friends may visit the family Friday from 6-8 pm at Van Strien-Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE or at the church at 3:00 PM on Saturday. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park on Monday, January 14, at 10:30 AM. Memorials may be made to the Benevolent Fund of Berean Baptist Church. Please visit Beverly's personal web page to learn more of her life, to leave a condolence or memory at www.lifestorynet.com.