Beulah May Graves
June 2, 1915 - February 6, 2009
Obituary
Beulah May Oswald Graves was born June 2, 1915 in Cusick, Washington to Ferdinand and Anna Pautz Oswald. Her siblings were Bill, Hattie, Herman, Walter , Raymond Edith Robert and Rosie . She attended Longfellow Elementary in Spokane as a first grader and transferred to Whitman Elementary from second to fourth grade and then back to Longfellow for fifth to eighth grade.
In 1933, she graduated from John Rogers High School.
As a young child she joined the family of R.T. McKenstry. McKenstry was a Spokane tailor who custom designed suits for men. She lived with the McKenstry family for several years caring for the elder Mrs. McKenstry by keeping her company, running errands and doing household chores. Mrs. McKenstry later developed cancer and it was Beulah who cared for her in her final illness.
At the passing of Mrs. Mckenstry, Beulah at fourteen lived with ML Rist family caring for a boy four and an infant daughter. Beulah worked as a nanny to the children. When the family later moved to Oregon, Beulah finished her high school years living with her sister Hattie.
In high school she worked at Newberrys at the Garland Shopping Center as a cashier and waitress in a bakery section serving and selling confections. At Easter time, she was called in by Newberrys to make children’s baskets. They were always a popular item and sales were so good that she was repeatedly called back.
Beulah took a second job in high school helping a young Dr McKinney set up a dental practice in Spokane. She assisted with patients, sterilized equipment and served coffee all while finishing her studies at John Rogers.
Through an employer of the McKenstry family , Beulah was afforded classes through Northwestern Business school following high school. She took classes in shorthand, spelling and some business writing .The business school held weekend dances and that is where Beulah at age 19 met her future and much beloved husband, Alden.
Beulah married him two years later. At the time, Alden was employed by Nalleys and was being transferred to Utah. He proposed and they were married at the First Presbyterian Church Cedar and 3rdin Spokane on April 17, 1937. As a gift, Mr. McKenstrey made a grey lightweight suit for Beulah as a going away outfit for her wedding . Beulah and Alden honeymooned at the Meany Hotel in Seattle while enroute to Victoria and the Butchart Gardens. They drove a yellow Chevy two door which gained notoriety as one of the first colored Chevys on the market.
During their early years, Alden worked for Nalleys as a supplier of Nalley products often doing the artwork to advertise. Beulah at times gave samples out at various stores to promote the business. Their territories were Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming and Texas. During World War II she covered the business by making contacts to wholesalers and allocated what was available to them. Following the war, Alden and Beulah moved to Spokane to raise their young family. Beulah found employment with the JC Penney Company in the drapery department and retired with more than 25 years of service. She was adept at figuring the math for custom window treatments made at that time on site. Her claim to fame was meeting J C Penney in person and at age 93 she still held Penney stock.
She and Alden raised four children Linda, Lon, Beverly and John all whom received college educations much to the pride of their parents who so valued the importance of education .
Beulah was an avid reader and especially loved history and biographies about historical figures. She was very much interested in politics. She was a stanch Democrat voting for Franklin Roosevelt and most recently Barack Obama .She was interested in world events and was always concerned about issues affecting the well being of others. She valued the right to vote and having lived through World War II advocated peace above all else. A strong work ethic and pursuit of knowledge were always cornerstones of a life philosophy for her.
She lovingly knitted baby blankets, booties, and caps for newborns at Children’s Hospital in Seattle. She made many donations. Special baby blankets were also knitted for her grandchildren.
An avid fan of sports Beulah liked tennis, football, basketball, ice skating and baseball. For many years she followed the Seattle Mariners.
A vegetable garden of beans, corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers was planted each summer. She willing shared her bounty with others and claimed that her secret to longevity was those fresh fruits and vegetables.
She loved flowers of all kinds especially roses and for many years she adorned the flowerbeds surrounding her home with a variety of roses, pansies, petunias, and peonies. A Beulah rose carries her namesake and will be planted in her memory at Foundation House Retirement home where she lived for eight years
Bridge and pinochle were favorite card games for her. As a young couple, Beulah and Alden hosted many bridge parties with friends.
She enjoyed music from the big band era and the bands that came to Spokane on weekends. She also enjoyed picnics –’always a lake to go to’, she once remarked. These included Deer Lake, Loon Lake, Courd’lene Lake, Liberty Lake. Her picnic potato salad recipe still holds acclaim in the family.
She was a devoted wife to Alden caring for him on life support for seven years. All but six months in a nursing home was under her care. She then made two bus transfers daily to visit him in a nursing home. Her undying love for him continued throughout her lifetime. She and Alden opened their home and heart to all family in need and were positive role models to all.
Beulah and Alden enjoyed travels to Germany, Russia, and Hawaii and Alaska as well as family trips to Orcas Island and Ridgecrest, California
Beulah was a very kind, and loving person. She had a deep and abiding devotion to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. Her family was better for having had her as a mother. She was a true testimony of how to love, how to have courage in the face of loss, and how to always set goals to better your self. Her family will deeply miss her smile, wisdom and love.
In Memory of Beulah Graves
A letter from your family:
Mom,
You gave us life and cared for us. You stood with courage to meet the responsibilities that fell upon you and sacrificed so much for your love of your children. What you accomplished is more than you ever realized. When we think of all that you have done for our family and all the love you have so generously poured from your heart, we are humbled. There will never be enough gratitude to offer to you . Our hearts will always be filled with the joy of knowing your love. It is the most precious gift we could have received. We loved you for being a caring person, a remarkable woman and an exceptional mother. This love that you have given will forever live within us.
Love,
Bev Linda, Lon and John
I am fortunate to have had you as my mother—rest in peace. Always, Linda
Our thoughts are with you at this time. She had an incredible and long life. Cherish the good memories.
We were neighbors of Al & Bea for many years. Wonderful lady and we have kept in contact at Christmas time for many years after they moved to Seattle. Linda thank you for bringing Bea and coming to visit us a few years back. Our neighborhood has changed so much in the past few years. Dorothy Graham, Marie Romain, and my dear husband Clem have passed away the past two years. Clem ll-7-08. Our prayers and thoughts are with all the family. Hope to see you at service. Sadie
My deepest sympathies to the Graves, Johnson and Hamilton familes.
Bea was a lovely lady with a kind word for all and a twinkle in her eye. She will be missed by many.
Ann
Sincere condolences for the death of your mother. I won’t be able to make it to the service, but will write soon.
Dorothy Johnson