Our beloved Mom, Viola Beat, met her Lord face to face on May 20. She is predeceased by her loving husband James Willard Beat and will be greatly missed by her children Jim Beat (Pat), Gene Beat (Victoria), Sylvia Delport (Elmer), Bernietta Chambers (Brian), Ruth Manky (Gerald), Willa Knol, deceased (Dan), 20 grandchildren, 1 deceased, 26 great grandchildren, 1 great- great grandchild and one brother Royce Irby in Oregon.
Viola (Irby) was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. As a child she lived in many western states before she went to bible college in San Francisco and became a pastor. She soon met and married fellow preacher Willard Beat; together they had six children. Through their adventuresome spirit and much prayer, in June 1951 they packed their family and belongings in a modified bus and moved to Quesnel, BC. Here they became very involved in the community and ministry, starting a Sunday school and church in Bouchie Lake Hall and helping develop the fledgling Bethel Tabernacle church in town. Viola was a great bible teacher who loved to study the Word. After the death of her husband, Will, she lived in Kamloops for fifteen years. There also her love and acceptance impacted many lives - young and old.
Viola’s center was her relationship with God. She had a thirst for all kinds of learning - the arts, history, maps, music, games, words and books, books, books. This creativity and passion, she has passed on. Her family and friends will remember her with joy.
The family would like to thank Dr. Craig and the Dunrovin staff for their outstanding care of Viola.
There will be a Memory Tea on Saturday, June 1, 2013
at Bethel Church.