Elizabeth "Liz" Beck

BECK — Elizabeth “Liz” (Darden), 89; born April 2, 1929, Mobile, Ala.; died Oct. 30, 2018, at the home of her daughter in Mouth of Wilson, Va. Surviving: daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Kenneth Straw, Berrien Springs, Mich.; daughter, Connie Smart, Mouth of Wilson; 4 granddaughters, Heidi (and her husband Luiz) Straw-Carmargo, Kristi Straw, Ashley Smart and Kellie Smart; and 3 great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Catherine and Sebastian.

Liz was born April 2, 1929 in Mobile, Ala., as the last of five children. Not raised an Adventist, she went to New York City and studied dancing with Fred Astaire for a year, then came back to Atlanta, Ga., and opened two of her own dance studios at age 19. Around 1959 she became acquainted with the Adventist message eventually joining the church in 1962. The "best thing she ever did," she would often say. After the death of her professional pilot husband, she came to Andrews University at the age of 49 to continue her college education, working her entire way through. It was then that she started "Fireside Fellowship " where college age young people would gather almost every Sabbath afternoon and evening to fellowship with other students, discuss real life issues, help one another and go out to help in the community out of which even "Harbor of Hope" can trace its roots. After graduating she went to work as a real estate agent in the Berrien Springs area first with Mclauchlin and then with daughter Sharon at Keller Williams & Pier Realty. Notwithstanding her great love for her family/her Fireside "kids" of more than 20 years and real estate clients "family" of 30 years where the passion of her life!