Beulah W. Ross

Beulah Ross was a loving wife, mother, and grandma who always kept her family in the center of her heart. She was a generous, gifted mother who proudly raised twelve children. Beulah devoted her life to her family, and she was the happiest in their warm company.

The year 1927 marked the twilight to a decade of jazz music, economic growth, and all-around celebration. This era would soon end with the collapse of the stock market and the onset of the Great Depression. But in Minnesota, Roy Johnson and his wife Cassie Thomas maintained their optimistic spirits by focusing on a different future-the future of their family. On August 11, 1927 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their daughter Beulah.

Beulah was born in Minnesota, but grew up in Michigan with the company of her four sisters, Leola, Frances, Maxine, and Wilma. She attended high school through the tenth grade, then began working to help support her family. During World War II she contributed to the Allied effort by helping to produce and assemble aircrafts.

Beulah's sister Maxine knew Marshall Ross, and she arranged for the two to meet. Beulah and Marshall quickly fell in love with each other, and on June 16, 1945 they were happily married before Marshall's discharge from the United States Army.

Shortly after their marriage, Beulah and Marshall started their family together. They were blessed with twelve wonderful children, Richard, Anna Maria, Rodger, Mitchell, Charleane, Sue, Bruce, Bonnie, Wanda, Stephen, John, and Ron. Beulah was always devoted to her family, and in her later years she was especially pleased to welcome twenty-four grandchildren, thirty great-grandkids, and three great-great-grandchildren. Beulah loved to spend time with her family, especially the younger generations. She loved to root for her grandkids at their sporting events.

Beulah's devotion to her family inspired one of her favorite hobbies, genealogy. She and her sister Maxine enjoyed tracing their family tree back many generations. They recently visited Salt Lake City, Utah to conduct research at the city's large genealogy facility. Of course, one of Beulah's best resources was her mother who celebrated her 106th birthday.

In her spare time, Beulah enjoyed shopping for bargains and building up her many collections, especially her Hot Wheels Cars. She expressed her creative side through her interests in gardening and crocheting, and by making flower bouquets for family weddings. She enjoyed watching sporting events, especially when her grandkids were involved, and she liked to keep in touch with family over the telephone. Beulah always enjoyed the company of a pet around the house. She got along with her most recent dog Dusty, and she always held fond memories of Lady, her favorite from the past. Although Beulah was very busy raising her large family, she managed to hold a few jobs over the years. She worked for Baker Furniture and a restaurant before retiring from Petco as a coil winder.

Beulah was truly devoted to her family. She formed a unique relationship with each of her children and many grandchildren. Among the many people whose hearts she touched, Beulah will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Beulah died on February 1, 2006 in Grand Rapids. She was preceded in death by her son, Stephen Ross, and her sister Wilma Yeargan. She is survived by her husband, Marshall Ross; children Richard (Joan) Ross, Anna Maria McPherson, Rodger Ross, Mitchell (Mary) Ross, Charleane (Phill) Zimmerman, Sue (Tom) Harris, Bruce Ross, Bonnie (Dave) Cichon, Wanda (Wendell) McBride, John Ross, Ron (Lynnette) Ross; 24 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; mother Cassie Irwin; siblings Leola Bolton, Maxine (Don) Ames, Frances (Robert) Bolton. Friends are invited to meet with Beulah's family on Friday, Feb. 3, from 7-9 PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes-Alt & Shawmut Hills, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW and for one hour prior to the funeral. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 1 PM at the funeral home. Please visit Beulah's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign the online guestbook or post a memorial contribution to the family to help with funeral expenses.