My beautiful children, Avery and Bryce,

This letter is to you. It's purpose? Well, it has many, but mainly, its purpose is to tell you about one of the greatest men I've ever known. You two may remember him as Papaw, but sadly, since you are so young, your actual memory of him may be very small. To me, well, I know him as Dad, and next to you, Avery, with all you've been through, he is my hero.

There are some basic things you need to know about your Papaw, and to start, I will tell you this...He left you his legacy.

To some that may seem trivial, but I assure you it is something you should hold close to your hearts and cherish forever. It's also something you should live up to.

According to the dictionary, a legacy is

"anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor."

And what was handed down to you exactly? Well, it is worth much more than any fortune on earth. He left a legacy of hard work, kindness, and most importantly love. He understood that the "average" (while he was much more than that) person can make a big impact, and he chose to do the right thing even when it wasn't popular. He was a man who knew who he was, and he wanted to make the world a better place. Papaw was born into a wonderful family, the Beaumans, and he took his name very seriously. He knew that his name was important, and he made sure he lived in a way to honor it and his family.

More than his last name, he knew he was a son of God. He wore the name of Christ daily in all he did. His greatest accomplishment was probably that he shared who Jesus was with his words and his actions, and it allowed his children to understand that a wonderful Heavenly Father exists. Of course, he wasn't perfect, but he'd never let us know that! While he may not have known everything, he was right about most things. I have to give him that!

Papaw taught us that kind words go a long way and that words should be respectful. As his child, I never heard him speak profanity, and after hearing from his childhood friends, they didn't either. He was a man who thought before he spoke, and he truly listened to others, whether he agreed with them or liked them or not. He knew how to hold his tongue when necessary and speak when it was appropriate. He was even tempered, but he did tend to show vivid emotions when it came to his wife and children and their well-being (or with bad calls on the baseball field). While he had much self-control, your Papaw showed a lot of emotion, especially after having grandchildren. You kids brought so much light into some really dark days in his life.

Avery, Papaw always had you twirl in your outfits for him, and he'd always smile so big and tell you how beautiful he thought you were. He'd always say that you were so full of life, and honestly, I think you really renewed his faith when you came along. You used to get up early in the mornings and join him at his table for breakfast or on the porch for a swing, and he said it was something he treasured. You both (somehow) shared an affection for Ole Miss or "Hotty Toddy" as you say, and you always noticed when he wore his Ole Miss cap or shirts. He really loved that about you! Your Papaw always came to things that were important to you, whether singing at church or in a school program. He was there when you had heart surgery in New York, and he was there for your dedication day at church. Even after having chemotherapy and feeling terrible, he still made sure he came to your preschool graduation and your first dance recital. You gave him much joy.

Bryce, you entered this world during a time that was very tough for him. Papaw was fighting some of the worst parts of his battle with cancer. He used to tell me that you had your Momma "wrapped", and he was right. I took solace in taking care of you, cuddling with you, and just being your Mom when things with your Papaw's health were difficult to bear. Your dance moves always made him laugh, and while you weren't around as long as the others, he loved you just the same. I know that if he were still around, he'd be riding you around on his lawn mower and taking you fishing!

The bottom line is this: your Papaw was an amazing man, and he loved you both deeply. You may not physically remember it, but you can see it in the photos we have of you together and more importantly in the way that I love you. He loved you that way too. The joy you see in my eyes is the same joy you brought to his. I saw it firsthand and you should never forget that.

I know you've seen your mommy sad lately, and I hate it. I miss him, I do, and while you handle it differently, I know you do too. It is okay to be sad and to miss him, but you must know that more than any of that I have hope. I believe in God's plan and I believe that Papaw is in Heaven, just like I told you he is. That isn't something I just say to make you or myself feel better, it is the truth. He's there, and if you continue to choose Jesus in your lives, you will be too when your time comes. We all have a time, and while it is terribly hard and sad when that time comes, we hold on to our hope and our Savior to hold us together and to bring us together again in Heaven.

I pray that you live, my sweet children, and that you live in a way that continues the legacy that one amazing man started many years before you. Be who God created you to be and look to him to help you fulfill that purpose. I know that no matter what, your Papaw would be awfully proud of you!

May God bless you forever and always keep you safe.

With all my heart,

Mommy

Things you might remember...

Papaw talking like Donald Duck, sitting in Papaw's chair, on his lawn mower, or swing, walking down to Papaw's garden, Papaw dancing and acting silly to make you laugh, letting Papaw brush your hair when you got out of the bath

Miscellaneous photos from Papaw's life...

Facebook notes...

I got to pick my babies up a bit ago. I missed them the past few days! Avery said, "Mommy, did you take Papaw to see Jesus? He's happy now. What boy's gonna stay at GG's? She's gonna be all by herself!" I told her I did and Bryce and Jake will be around, but Papaw would always look out for her! #kids#dadsazaleas

Dad always said that Easter should be like any other Sunday. He was right!‪#‎celebratedaily‬ ‪#‎thankyouJesus‬ ‪#‎givehimahugforme‬

Avery-"You got Jesus password to his phone? Oh well, you can't call him. I go to Heaven when I grow up and see Papaw?" Bryce- "Heabben?"

"He loved Vicksburg." "Mr. Beauman's integrity was never an issue." "...a man who was known for working with people and keeping a low profile." "...a man of integrity, principled, and a good friend."
Another amazing article that is a true tribute to the man my dad was. Reading these wonderful words about him sent chills down my spine. Thank you for this @TheVicksburgPost

I'm sitting in the home I grew up in as I have so many times before, yet today a huge part of what made this my home is missing. I'm so lucky and blessed to have been raised by a father who not only set an example for me but for everyone he met. He loved me unconditionally, protected me, and taught me the true meaning of walking through life the way one should. There wasn't a more honest and compassionate man around, and I'm grateful that I had the years I did with him. He has suffered so much the last several months (even more so than what he's suffered the last 5 years with his cancer), and I found myself praying over him, "Lord, have mercy," just to see him at peace. I saw that today as I held his hand as he took his last breath. God has given me peace, and he is with me in my sadness. I do have a lot of that, but my Dad will always be in my heart and mind just like the God he taught me about as a child.
Being the honorable man that he was, Dad requested his body be donated for study, so we did that. We are planning a memorial celebration service here at Crossway Church hopefully some time the week of Dad's birthday (April 8). I'll let y'all know when we finalize the details. That will give mom time to decompress and my brothers time to tie up some things and get in town.
Thank you to everyone who has done anything big or small for my family- we have been blessed continuously.

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”

― Shannon L. Alder

“No legacy is so rich as honesty.”

― William Shakespeare

Leave a spiritual legacy in your family, or you leave no legacy at all.

- Unknown

The obituary...

Former Vicksburg South Ward Alderman Sidney “Sid” Hamilton Beauman Jr. passed away Friday, March 27, 2015, at River Region Hospital in Vicksburg. He was 66.

Sid was born April 8, 1948, in Vicksburg to Sidney and Elsie (Jean) Beauman Sr. He was in the first graduating class of Warren Central High School in 1966. He also attended the University of Mississippi.

Sid married Laura Elizabeth Hair from Lake Providence, La. Together, they had three children who grew to become a fire captain/nurse, teacher, and worship pastor.

Sid was a man who found success in everything he did due to his persistence and strong work ethic. He worked as a professional golfer, sales representative for both Izod and Coca-Cola Bottling, and served as the recreational director and later South Ward alderman for the city of Vicksburg.

Sid was said to be a man of honor and integrity who lived by high moral standards. He wouldn’t even drive the city vehicle home because he didn’t want to use gas on the tax-payers’ dime. He loved the city of Vicksburg and wanted to make it a better place for its residents and youth.

He enjoyed fishing, playing golf, and watching the Ole Miss Rebels and New York Yankees. His favorite past time, however, was being a “Papaw” to his six grandchildren.

Sid battled cancer with multiple surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, and strength of heart with the will to live for over five years. Those who know him best may call him “Super Sid” after watching him overcome the many obstacles life placed in his way. His family is comforted in knowing that he is at peace in the arms of our loving God in Heaven, and will forever hold him in our hearts.

Sid was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Sr. and Elsie Jean; his only brother, William Michael “Mike” Sr.; and his nephew, William Michael “Baby Michael” Jr.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Laura; sons, Michael Ryan and Mitchell Spencer; daughter, Megan Victoria Bell; six grandchildren, Megan Cocilova, Jener Blaze Beauman, Avery Elizabeth Bell, Cooper Ryan Beauman, Bryce Allen Bell and Josie Claire Beauman; sisters, Patricia Kellum, Sylvia Brogdon, Jenny Muirhead and Clara Beauman; and nieces and nephews.

Prior to his passing, Sid honorably requested his body be given for medical research, and that request was granted by his family.

The public is invited to attend a memorial celebration of life in Sid’s honor will be 2 p.m. April 8, 2015, at Crossway Church, 1825 U.S. 61 South, Vicksburg.

The Beauman Family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Martin Newcomb and his staff at The Cancer Center of Vicksburg and Dr. Vinod Anand and his staff at the Nose and Sinus Clinic in Jackson for the compassion and care given to Sid. He was treated not only as a patient but as a friend.

We could not have fought this battle against cancer without Crossway Church and the multitude of friends, family, and others who have supported and prayed for Sid and his family. We thank you with all our hearts and will be forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Sid’s name to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.