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Beverly Hastings Roark Wilson

Beverly Hastings Roark Wilson

Beverly Hastings Roark Wilson died June 6, 2016 in Kennesaw, Georgia. Born August 2, 1926 in Foley, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Eldridge Waldo Roark and Willie Mae Roberts.
She is survived by her son­in­law Larry Ribler and grandson Jackson William Ribler of Miami, sisters Jane Roark Liddell of Kennesaw, Miriam Roark Rehwaldt of Pullman, Washington, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Curtis Wilson, her daughters Cecilia Wilson and Rebecca (Becky to friends and family) Wilson Ribler, and brother, Eldridge Waldo Roark, Jr.
Following Becky’s death in April 2015, Beverly moved from Miami to Georgia, joining Jane at Gaines Park Assisted Living. She enjoyed the companionship of her sister, loving care of wonderful caregivers, and outings to concerts and dinners with nieces, nephews, and friends.
Beverly’s early years were spent in Camden, Alabama, where her father, known as Brother Roark, was the beloved minister at Camden Baptist Church. The oldest of four children, Beverly loved to tell stories of playing the piano at services and the Sunday afternoons when her father would preach at neighboring churches.
She graduated from Judson College in Marion, Alabama where she met her husband Bill, a student at Marion Military Institute
Beverly was a military wife while Bill served in the US Air Force. They moved to Texas for Bill’s training as a navigator. He served in Japan, from where air raids over Korea would originate.
With Bill’s service concluded, the couple moved to Gainesville, Florida where Bill earned his Ph.D at UF in plant physiology, specifically citrus research. A​fter completion of the Doctorate, the Wilsons resided in Winter Haven. F​or many years Beverly assisted with the management of the Plant Growth Regulators’ Society, a scientific body of plant physiologists. The family owned orange groves in the Titusville and Winter Haven areas.
Beverly’s life was reflected in her devotion to family, church, and civic activities. She was a long time Girl Scout leader and instrumental in the development of Becky’s impressive artistic talent and academic success.
Becky and Larry married December 22, 1984. Beverly’s beloved grandson, Jackson, was born December 10, 1999. Bill was not well, but enjoyed several months as Jackson’s grandfather. After Bill’s passing, Beverly moved to Miami to be with her daughter and family.
Becky was a busy lawyer, and everyone got to know Jackson’s Grandma. Beverly became school library volunteer, went to all of Jackson’s ice hockey games, school events, activities, and was his designated chauffeur.
Beverly was a warm, caring person;kind and helpful toward everyone. H​er perspective was that everyone did their best, and th​is was how she lovingly viewed others. Over the years she was asked whether being the daughter of a small town minister, so important a man to so many, put pressure on her when growing up. F​or Beverly, this was no pressure at all.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 24 at 1:00Pm at Gaines Park, Kennesaw, Georgia.
Lakeside Funeral Home, Woodstock Georgia, is in charge of arrangements.

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