Meryl C. Beatty

BEATTY, Meryl C., 95, of St. Petersburg, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2015 at her residence in Palm Garden of Largo Nursing Home supported by members of her family. Her humbleness, strength of character, and lifelong closeness to God is an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her sons, John R. Beatty with his wife Darlynn, and Thomas H. Beatty III; by her grandchildren, USAF Captain Jonathan Beatty and his wife Cynthia, Timothy Beatty, and Julie Beatty; and by her great-grandchildren, Faith, Adam and Kyle Beatty. "Mama Meryl", as she liked to be called, was a calm, patient, determined Scotch-Irish lady who was born in Sale City, Georgia after the end of WWI. With a warm smile and hard-working hands, she picked fresh strawberries with her large family before she walked barefoot miles to school each day in Turkey Creek/Plant City, Florida. At age 19, she survived a serious train wreck accident that put her in a coma for several months. Despite all obstacles, Meryl went on to become a professional Registered Nurse for four decades in the St. Petersburg, Florida area. Her training was at Mound Park Hospital Nursing School (now Bayfront Medical Center). She proudly dressed in her sparkling white, traditional uniform and nurse's cap to care for her sick and injured patients in private duty, patient home, hospital, and nursing home settings. She was a member of the Pasadena Baptist Church during the years her sons were growing up. Most recently, she was a member of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church where she and her beloved "T.H." were married back in 1946. Since Meryl was, most of all, a loving and supportive wife for 54 years to her late husband WWII US Army Tec 5 Thomas H. Beatty, Jr., she will be appropriately interred with him at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida - just a short ride from their retirement home on the banks of the Withlacoochee River. The Bible assures us her wonderful, indomitable human spirit will now be eternally in Heaven with her personal Savior, Jesus Christ. Meryl's long and productive life will be honored at a closed casket visitation to be held at the Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, 7820 - 38th Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33710 on Thursday, April 9, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the All Children's Hospital Foundation, PO Box 3142, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 or online at www.givetoallkids.org. "Mama Meryl", we will miss you very much and always cherish our special memories of you. Thank you for all the good things you did for us!