Beth was born June 24, 1933 to Mattie Zoe Alexander Thornton and Thomas Henry "Ramsey" Thornton at the home of her grandmother Myrtle Bell Smith Alexander, Violet Ridge Plantation outside of Pace, Mississippi. Beth grew up in Merigold, in the Mississippi Delta. She was an accomplished student, pianist and dancer. She was a cheerleader and member of the girls basketball team at Merigold School. Beth and her beloved sister Martha Ramsey Thornton McArthur grew up enjoying riding horses, swimming, boating, and traveling.
She attended Delta State and then transferred to the University of Alabama where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics with an emphasis on Textiles. Before graduation she was offered a job with a large textiles concern but instead moved to Decatur, Georgia with her husband Henry Neill Segrest, Jr. as he enrolled in Columbia Theological Seminary. They lived in Clinton, South Carolina, Tallassee, Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama, Decatur, Georgia again and Commerce, Georgia. She was a member of the Madame Hodnett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Commerce Garden Club.
Beth is known by all who knew her as a wonderful mother, not only to her beloved children but all of the other children who regularly were at the house or in her car. She and Neill had six children, Martha Douglass Segrest Dickey (Gib), Anne Elizabeth Segrest McCulloch (Ned), Caroline Thornton Segrest Morais Walker (Gavin), Henry Neill Segrest, III (Julie) and Susan Alexander Segrest. She was preceded in death by their infant son Thomas McCaskill Segrest, her father, Thomas Henry "Ramsey" Thornton, her father-in-law Henry Neill Segrest, Sr.
She is survived by her husband Henry Neill Segrest, Jr., her mother Mattie Zoe Alexander Thornton, her sister Martha Ramsey Thornton McArthur (Bobby), her mother-in-law Florida Douglass Broward Segrest, her brothers-in-law Douglas Broward Segrest (Joan Shinn Segrest), Donald Hutchison Segrest, sister in law Jude' Cameron Segrest, sister in law Jean Meredith Segrest, Allan Duncan Segrest (Janice Bahrke Segrest), Stephen Graham Segrest and sister-in-law Cay Matthews Segrest. She was also survived by many nieces and nephews: Bob and Mari-Beth McArthur of Cleveland, Mississippi, Cameron, Rebecca, Judith, Donna, Joanna and Carolyn Segrest of Candler, North Carolina and Destin, Florida, Doug, John, and Patty Segrest of Montgomery, Alabama, Duncan Segrest of Birmingham, Alabama, Steve and Jenna Segrest of College Park, Georgia.
After her death at age 42 of a cerebral aneurysm, the Women of the Church at Commerce Presbyterian Church honored her memory with a stained glass window in the church. She had taught children's Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School, Women's Circle, Presbyterian and Methodist youth group, hosting Bible studies in their home, and celebrating the Advent and Easter seasons.
She developed a school for special needs students out of a small school at the church. New Dawn School moved to the J.L. Williams Elementary School building in Commerce, GA and went out into the community often finding those who not only had never been to school but sometimes had never left their home. She and her husband Neill Segrest wrote grants to receive federal monies for this school and expanded the reach throughout the county with buses picking up the students ranging from toddlers to adults. They arranged medical and dental care for the students who often needed specialized services and which had not been accessible. One of her great joys was training the students for the Special Olympics where many were awarded medals and praised by the First Lady Rosalyn Carter and by Ethel Kennedy (Mrs. Robert) widow of a former US Attorney General, Presidential candidate and sister-in-law of President John Kennedy.
Beth stepped forward in the causes and injustices that were before her, often counseling with women or just simply being a great friend, she stood up against the pressures and intimidations from those opposing the Civil Rights movement of the early 1960's in Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama, she carried herself with great calm and composure that was both her nature and due to her unshakable lifelong Christian faith. She was always kind to people and lots of fun. In an era when sewing was an important skill, Beth was talented in sewing and making her own patterns. She enjoyed playing tennis. She would be at the swimming pool with all of her children or at football games, softball games, Brownies, organizing the Girl Scout Art Show, at Cub Scouts, at Camp Fire Girls, driving girls to majorette camp and more. She is greatly missed by her family and many friends.
She attended Delta State and then transferred to the University of Alabama where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics with an emphasis on Textiles. Before graduation she was offered a job with a large textiles concern but instead moved to Decatur, Georgia with her husband Henry Neill Segrest, Jr. as he enrolled in Columbia Theological Seminary. They lived in Clinton, South Carolina, Tallassee, Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama, Decatur, Georgia again and Commerce, Georgia. She was a member of the Madame Hodnett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Commerce Garden Club.
Beth is known by all who knew her as a wonderful mother, not only to her beloved children but all of the other children who regularly were at the house or in her car. She and Neill had six children, Martha Douglass Segrest Dickey (Gib), Anne Elizabeth Segrest McCulloch (Ned), Caroline Thornton Segrest Morais Walker (Gavin), Henry Neill Segrest, III (Julie) and Susan Alexander Segrest. She was preceded in death by their infant son Thomas McCaskill Segrest, her father, Thomas Henry "Ramsey" Thornton, her father-in-law Henry Neill Segrest, Sr.
She is survived by her husband Henry Neill Segrest, Jr., her mother Mattie Zoe Alexander Thornton, her sister Martha Ramsey Thornton McArthur (Bobby), her mother-in-law Florida Douglass Broward Segrest, her brothers-in-law Douglas Broward Segrest (Joan Shinn Segrest), Donald Hutchison Segrest, sister in law Jude' Cameron Segrest, sister in law Jean Meredith Segrest, Allan Duncan Segrest (Janice Bahrke Segrest), Stephen Graham Segrest and sister-in-law Cay Matthews Segrest. She was also survived by many nieces and nephews: Bob and Mari-Beth McArthur of Cleveland, Mississippi, Cameron, Rebecca, Judith, Donna, Joanna and Carolyn Segrest of Candler, North Carolina and Destin, Florida, Doug, John, and Patty Segrest of Montgomery, Alabama, Duncan Segrest of Birmingham, Alabama, Steve and Jenna Segrest of College Park, Georgia.
After her death at age 42 of a cerebral aneurysm, the Women of the Church at Commerce Presbyterian Church honored her memory with a stained glass window in the church. She had taught children's Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School, Women's Circle, Presbyterian and Methodist youth group, hosting Bible studies in their home, and celebrating the Advent and Easter seasons.
She developed a school for special needs students out of a small school at the church. New Dawn School moved to the J.L. Williams Elementary School building in Commerce, GA and went out into the community often finding those who not only had never been to school but sometimes had never left their home. She and her husband Neill Segrest wrote grants to receive federal monies for this school and expanded the reach throughout the county with buses picking up the students ranging from toddlers to adults. They arranged medical and dental care for the students who often needed specialized services and which had not been accessible. One of her great joys was training the students for the Special Olympics where many were awarded medals and praised by the First Lady Rosalyn Carter and by Ethel Kennedy (Mrs. Robert) widow of a former US Attorney General, Presidential candidate and sister-in-law of President John Kennedy.
Beth stepped forward in the causes and injustices that were before her, often counseling with women or just simply being a great friend, she stood up against the pressures and intimidations from those opposing the Civil Rights movement of the early 1960's in Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama, she carried herself with great calm and composure that was both her nature and due to her unshakable lifelong Christian faith. She was always kind to people and lots of fun. In an era when sewing was an important skill, Beth was talented in sewing and making her own patterns. She enjoyed playing tennis. She would be at the swimming pool with all of her children or at football games, softball games, Brownies, organizing the Girl Scout Art Show, at Cub Scouts, at Camp Fire Girls, driving girls to majorette camp and more. She is greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Beth was born June 24, 1933 to Mattie Zoe Alexander Thornton and Thomas Henry "Ramsey" Thornton at the home of her grandmother Myrtle Bell Smith Alexander, Violet Ridge Plantation outside of Pace, Mississippi. Beth grew up in Merigold, in the Mississippi Delta. She was an accomplished student, pianist and dancer. She was a cheerleader and member of the girls basketball team at Merigold School. Beth and her beloved sister Martha Ramsey Thornton McArthur grew up enjoying riding horses, swimming, boating, and traveling.
She attended Delta State and then transferred to the University of Alabama where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics with an emphasis on Textiles. Before graduation she was offered a job with a large textiles concern but instead moved to Decatur, Georgia with her husband Henry Neill Segrest, Jr. as he enrolled in Columbia Theological Seminary. They lived in Clinton, South Carolina, Tallassee, Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama, Decatur, Georgia again and Commerce, Georgia. She was a member of the Madame Hodnett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Commerce Garden Club.
Beth is known by all who knew her as a wonderful mother, not only to her beloved children but all of the other children who regularly were at the house or in her car. She and Neill had six children, Martha Douglass Segrest Dickey (Gib), Anne Elizabeth Segrest McCulloch (Ned), Caroline Thornton Segrest Morais Walker (Gavin), Henry Neill Segrest, III (Julie) and Susan Alexander Segrest. She was preceded in death by their infant son Thomas McCaskill Segrest, her father, Thomas Henry "Ramsey" Thornton, her father-in-law Henry Neill Segrest, Sr.
She is survived by her husband Henry Neill Segrest, Jr., her mother Mattie Zoe Alexander Thornton, her sister Martha Ramsey Thornton McArthur (Bobby), her mother-in-law Florida Douglass Broward Segrest, her brothers-in-law Douglas Broward Segrest (Joan Shinn Segrest), Donald Hutchison Segrest, sister in law Jude' Cameron Segrest, sister in law Jean Meredith Segrest, Allan Duncan Segrest (Janice Bahrke Segrest), Stephen Graham Segrest and sister-in-law Cay Matthews Segrest. She was also survived by many nieces and nephews: Bob and Mari-Beth McArthur of Cleveland, Mississippi, Cameron, Rebecca, Judith, Donna, Joanna and Carolyn Segrest of Candler, North Carolina and Destin, Florida, Doug, John, and Patty Segrest of Montgomery, Alabama, Duncan Segrest of Birmingham, Alabama, Steve and Jenna Segrest of College Park, Georgia.
After her death at age 42 of a cerebral aneurysm, the Women of the Church at Commerce Presbyterian Church honored her memory with a stained glass window in the church. She had taught children's Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School, Women's Circle, Presbyterian and Methodist youth group, hosting Bible studies in their home, and celebrating the Advent and Easter seasons.
She developed a school for special needs students out of a small school at the church. New Dawn School moved to the J.L. Williams Elementary School building in Commerce, GA and went out into the community often finding those who not only had never been to school but sometimes had never left their home. She and her husband Neill Segrest wrote grants to receive federal monies for this school and expanded the reach throughout the county with buses picking up the students ranging from toddlers to adults. They arranged medical and dental care for the students who often needed specialized services and which had not been accessible. One of her great joys was training the students for the Special Olympics where many were awarded medals and praised by the First Lady Rosalyn Carter and by Ethel Kennedy (Mrs. Robert) widow of a former US Attorney General, Presidential candidate and sister-in-law of President John Kennedy.
Beth stepped forward in the causes and injustices that were before her, often counseling with women or just simply being a great friend, she stood up against the pressures and intimidations from those opposing the Civil Rights movement of the early 1960's in Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama, she carried herself with great calm and composure that was both her nature and due to her unshakable lifelong Christian faith. She was always kind to people and lots of fun. In an era when sewing was an important skill, Beth was talented in sewing and making her own patterns. She enjoyed playing tennis. She would be at the swimming pool with all of her children or at football games, softball games, Brownies, organizing the Girl Scout Art Show, at Cub Scouts, at Camp Fire Girls, driving girls to majorette camp and more. She is greatly missed by her family and many friends.
She attended Delta State and then transferred to the University of Alabama where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics with an emphasis on Textiles. Before graduation she was offered a job with a large textiles concern but instead moved to Decatur, Georgia with her husband Henry Neill Segrest, Jr. as he enrolled in Columbia Theological Seminary. They lived in Clinton, South Carolina, Tallassee, Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama, Decatur, Georgia again and Commerce, Georgia. She was a member of the Madame Hodnett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Commerce Garden Club.
Beth is known by all who knew her as a wonderful mother, not only to her beloved children but all of the other children who regularly were at the house or in her car. She and Neill had six children, Martha Douglass Segrest Dickey (Gib), Anne Elizabeth Segrest McCulloch (Ned), Caroline Thornton Segrest Morais Walker (Gavin), Henry Neill Segrest, III (Julie) and Susan Alexander Segrest. She was preceded in death by their infant son Thomas McCaskill Segrest, her father, Thomas Henry "Ramsey" Thornton, her father-in-law Henry Neill Segrest, Sr.
She is survived by her husband Henry Neill Segrest, Jr., her mother Mattie Zoe Alexander Thornton, her sister Martha Ramsey Thornton McArthur (Bobby), her mother-in-law Florida Douglass Broward Segrest, her brothers-in-law Douglas Broward Segrest (Joan Shinn Segrest), Donald Hutchison Segrest, sister in law Jude' Cameron Segrest, sister in law Jean Meredith Segrest, Allan Duncan Segrest (Janice Bahrke Segrest), Stephen Graham Segrest and sister-in-law Cay Matthews Segrest. She was also survived by many nieces and nephews: Bob and Mari-Beth McArthur of Cleveland, Mississippi, Cameron, Rebecca, Judith, Donna, Joanna and Carolyn Segrest of Candler, North Carolina and Destin, Florida, Doug, John, and Patty Segrest of Montgomery, Alabama, Duncan Segrest of Birmingham, Alabama, Steve and Jenna Segrest of College Park, Georgia.
After her death at age 42 of a cerebral aneurysm, the Women of the Church at Commerce Presbyterian Church honored her memory with a stained glass window in the church. She had taught children's Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School, Women's Circle, Presbyterian and Methodist youth group, hosting Bible studies in their home, and celebrating the Advent and Easter seasons.
She developed a school for special needs students out of a small school at the church. New Dawn School moved to the J.L. Williams Elementary School building in Commerce, GA and went out into the community often finding those who not only had never been to school but sometimes had never left their home. She and her husband Neill Segrest wrote grants to receive federal monies for this school and expanded the reach throughout the county with buses picking up the students ranging from toddlers to adults. They arranged medical and dental care for the students who often needed specialized services and which had not been accessible. One of her great joys was training the students for the Special Olympics where many were awarded medals and praised by the First Lady Rosalyn Carter and by Ethel Kennedy (Mrs. Robert) widow of a former US Attorney General, Presidential candidate and sister-in-law of President John Kennedy.
Beth stepped forward in the causes and injustices that were before her, often counseling with women or just simply being a great friend, she stood up against the pressures and intimidations from those opposing the Civil Rights movement of the early 1960's in Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama, she carried herself with great calm and composure that was both her nature and due to her unshakable lifelong Christian faith. She was always kind to people and lots of fun. In an era when sewing was an important skill, Beth was talented in sewing and making her own patterns. She enjoyed playing tennis. She would be at the swimming pool with all of her children or at football games, softball games, Brownies, organizing the Girl Scout Art Show, at Cub Scouts, at Camp Fire Girls, driving girls to majorette camp and more. She is greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Gravesite Details
Elizabeth Segrest's full name is Myrtle Elizabeth "Beth" Thornton Segrest.
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