Mary Beulah Stedman McKinnon

Mary Beulah Stedman McKinnon was born August 29, 1922, the fifth child of Charles and Matte Cox Stedman. Born and reared in Chatham County, North Carolina she lived and worked on the family farm until she was married to Carl Eugene McKinnon in 1939. Soon after being married the couple moved to Burlington, NC. They had two children, Bob and Larry McKinnon and continued living in the Burlington area for the balance of her life. In 1950 they purchased a farm and returned to their roots. She also worked for several years in customer service for Copeland Fabrics where she eventually retired. She was a very accomplished homemaker and baked the greatest pound cakes, pies and biscuits imaginable. It was said that she could grow a rose garden on concrete. Her flowers were a passion and strangers would stop at her house just to see them.

Her true love and pride however was for her family. Each of her four grandchildren felt a special bond with their grandmother. That love extended later to her five great grandchildren. They likewise were touched by the strength of her wonderful character and feelings for them.

Beulah was very active in her church, Temple Baptist in Haw River. Her participation did not begin and end on Sunday morning. She volunteered to do whatever was necessary to help the church be functional.

She was also active in assisting Hospice by working in several capacities. The same was true in her volunteer work with local hospitals and Meals on Wheels. Her heart was big. If there was a need and she knew it, she would help.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene McKinnon; brothers, Floyd Stedman and Willie Stedman; and sisters, Maimi Stedman Jones, Maggie Stedman Garner Beale, Gertrude Stedman, and Wilma Stedman Lane.

Those left to cherish her memory are sons, Bob McKinnon and wife Ray of Newton and Larry McKinnon and wife June of Concord; grandchildren, Kelly McKinnon Fulcher and husband Eric of Hickory, Michael McKinnon and wife Laura of Chralotte, Rob McKinnon and wife Melissa of Brevard, and Isabella McKinnon of Newton; great grandchildren, Trevor Fulcher, Max Fulcher, and Cullen Fulcher of Hickory, Baxter McKinnon and Walt McKinnon of Brevard and Grace McKinnon of Charlotte; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a memorial gift be made to Temple Baptist Church, PO Box 306, Haw River, NC 27258.

Services in Beulah’s memory and a celebration of her life will be conducted at Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service, 306 Glenwood Avenue, Burlington, NC on Monday, October 9, 2017. Viewing will be at 1:00 PM followed by the service at 2:00 PM.

At age 95 years, Beulah died peacefully after a few days of declining health. She was a wonderful person who truly cared for others and will be missed by all she touched.

The family extends its gratitude to Rev. James Black, Grace and Ralph Ingle, Jean McKinnon, Bonnie Thompson and her staff at Homeplace of Burlington. All of you and many others helped Beulah enjoy her life to the end.
 

 Service Information