Barbara B. Beckett July 19, 1929 - August 27, 2021

July 19, 1929 – August 27, 2021

Barbara B. Beckett was born July 19, 1929 to Harry Ephriam Brown and Laura Doris Brown at

McPheeters Hospital in Modesto, California.

Growing up, Barbara had a vivid imagination and loved to play outdoors. Instead of

conventional toys, she used rocks and sticks as cars and fuzzy balls from the sycamore trees as

animals. Barbara loved all animals and had many that she cared for. Once she brought a calf

into the house, and her parents made her carry a bucket behind the calf (just in case)! She had

a very special pet pig that followed her around the house and napped on the couch with her.

This was not a miniature pig, but grew into a full size hog! She had great fun with her dog,

Captain, who she would send to attack the boys that came to visit her! Barbara was humored as

she recalled, “All of my boyfriends got bit by my dog. But I feel bad now because some people’s

clothes got ruined!” Her favorite pet was her white Arabian mare, Sweetheart, who she rode

nearly every day. She would sing hymns as she rode, which drew her closer to God.

Barbara graduated from Modesto High School in 1947 and Modesto Junior College in 1949. She

loved music and played the piano, organ, flute, and piccolo beautifully; she was part of the

Modesto Junior College Band, Orchestra, and the Stanislaus County Boys Band directed by the

famous Frank Mancini.

She had a heart for helping others which led her to enter nursing school and graduate as a

registered nurse from Samuel Merritt Hospital in 1952. There she met the love of her life,

Charles Beckett, while he was a patient on the surgical floor. She cared for him and read him

poetry and scriptures. Charles remembers that Barbara would not give him ice cream because it

wasn’t the doctor’s orders! They married in 1954 and had three daughters, Dee Ann, Wendy,

and Janie, who have given them 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She was a loving

wife, mother, and grandmother who was always looking for ways to enrich and educate others

whether it be family or acquaintances.

Continuing with her passion for helping others, Barbara was a dedicated breastfeeding

advocate, served as president of the Medical-Dental Auxiliary in Modesto for Loma Linda

University, and passionately served over 30 years as Western District Director and Academy

Chairman for the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Foundation.

Together, Barbara and her husband enjoyed traveling the nation educating doctors at medical

conventions about blepharospasm. They were active in the Camellia society and enjoyed

sharing beautiful blooms with their family and friends. Barbara loved walking and getting her

daily exercise in the early morning hours. She was a friend to everyone she met.

At 92 years of age, Barbara B. Beckett peacefully passed away at home on August 27, 2021. She

is survived by family who loves her dearly and her devoted husband, Charles Beckett DDS, of 67

years.

Barbara will be honored in a private family service. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be

sent to: Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, PO Box 200, Loma Linda, CA 92354; the

Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, PO Box 12468, Beaumont, TX 77726; or

Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356, who gave her excellent care near

the end of her life.