In lieu of flowers, the family has decided to set up a memorial fund in order to honor Joan, our beloved “Momma” and “Meemaw”. She began her education career the year she and our dad were married, 1964, after earning a B.S. in Elementary Education from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. She completed her student teaching at Donaldson ES in Greenville as well. Joan then taught first grade at Paris ES in Taylors, SC. After moving with her family to Atlanta, she then taught kindergarten for two years at two different private, Christian schools. Shortly thereafter, her and our dad both completed a MA degree in Reading from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. In 1971, she began teaching Reading at Colonial Hills Christian School in East Point, GA. She taught there until 1980. During that time, she also instructed part-time at the Baptist University of America (Decatur, GA) in the subjects of Teaching of Reading and Teaching Language Arts and supervised student teachers.
In 1980, Joan began her 32-year career with the Clayton County Public Schools, also in the Atlanta area. She taught 5th grade for ten years at E. W. Oliver ES in Riverdale and then served for 15 years as an Instructional Lead Teacher (ILT). During this time she completed her Educational Specialist Degree in Reading from Georgia State University in Atlanta and then course work for a Georgia Educator Certificate in Educational Leadership from the State University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA. Towards the end of her career, Joan served as an Early Intervention teacher at both Hendrix Drive ES and Lake City ES, pouring herself into some of the most challenging students. She officially retired on April 30, 2012, just two days before she went to meet her Saviour.
Over this 48-year career, our mother also faithfully taught and served in a number of capacities in the local church. She loved to teach Sunday School, mentor younger ladies and mothers, and frequently spoke in conferences. All she had ever known was teaching and serving others. She was married to a life-long educator and was also the mother of five teachers, two of which are also married to educators. Joan was an avid reader and constant learner. We could always find her reading her Bible, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, one of her favorite magazines, or a good novel.
The Joan Beck Literacy Memorial Fund will be a small way to honor such an amazing educator and woman. Her life has literally touched thousands. She had a life-long desire to serve and give to others and wasn’t happy until others around her were happy. She always strived to have a joyful personality and to live a fruitful life filled with love. We desire to extend her life and ministry in very tangible ways all around the world as long as we are able. This fund will be used for educational scholarships, the purchase of reading and other instructional materials, installation of libraries in needy schools, etc.
Our family is extremely grateful that you would consider honoring our dear “Momma” in this way. If you are interested in contributing to this fund, simply click the “Donate” button to the right on this page. You can also send a check made out to “Grace Seed” with “Joan Beck Fund” listed in the memo line. They can be mailed to Grace Seed 4702 Large Street Philadelphia, PA 19124.