Mildred Beckcom

Mildred Inez Kreitz Beckcom, age 88, passed from this world May 30, 2017. She now joins the love of her life, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Roland Beckcom. Together they moved shoulder to shoulder across multiple continents through the six decades of their marriage which began July 26, 1947 and ended with his departure from this world May 13, 2015. The daughter of Johnnie W. and Bessie Morris Kreitz, Mildred arrived in San Antonio, Texas March 22, 1929. She dearly loved her parents and her brother John W. "Buddie" Kreitz.

Mildred was proud to be a graduate of San Antonio's Breckenridge High School, Class of '46. She loved supporting her school football team as one of the Purple Jackets.

She was delighted to be a member of several garden clubs; her specialty was dried arrangements. She served as president of several different Officers Wives' Clubs on various Air Force Bases.

Mildred always wanted to help people in need. She spent many volunteer hours helping people as a hospital Gray Lady in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Known as "Midge" when volunteering with Family Services at Minot AFB, North Dakota, she helped many Air Force families in times of need.

She was especially honored to be a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. An avid genealogist, Mildred loved researching not only her family but also Henry's family. She was a longtime beloved member of the First Presbyterian Church of Smithville which she served as an Elder.

Mildred enjoyed sewing, often making casual clothes and formal dresses for herself, as well as clothes for her sons. She was especially fond of painting, usually oils, like her grandmother Maud Morris, but she also dabbled in watercolors; her best work is a watercolor.

Mildred is survived by her sons, Chris Beckcom and his wife Rosanne, and James Kevin Beckcom and his wife Elizabeth. She treasured her two wonderful grandchildren, Ian Beckcom and his wife Hutton, and Caitlin Sykora and her husband Collin.

The family extends special thanks to Mildred's caregiver the last few weeks, Jane Wright; also a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Guiding Hospice.

When one thinks of Mildred, one thinks strength, love, and loyalty