Obituary of Sam Combs Beckley

Sam C. Beckley (Age 101) Sam Combs Beckley died peacefully on July 2, 2013 in Reston, VA. Sam was born May 17, 1912 to Clarence and Mary Alice Beckley in Henry County, KY. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College (now Eastern Kentucky University) in 1935. He served as an officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II and then began a 30-year career with the Veterans Administration. In 1967 he received an MS degree in Public Administration from George Washington University, and was recognized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky with an honorary "Kentucky Colonel" award. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Elizabeth Robertson Beckley; his daughter Alice Macdonald and son-in-law William MacDonald, of Herndon, VA; two grandchildren, Lauren Wittstadt (John), and Dr. Scott MacDonald (Melissa); and four great-grandchildren, Beckley and William Wittstadt and Anna and Jack MacDonald. Sam and Lib moved to Arlington, VA in 1949, and were active members of the Little Falls Presbyterian Church. Sam pursued his hobbies of gardening and crafting beautiful cherry furniture. His life was guided by his love for God and his family, and he was well-liked and respected by many friends over the years. The Beckleys were especially known everywhere they went for their devotion to each other. Upon his retirement in 1973, Lib and Sam moved to Winter Haven, FL, where they lived for 18 years, enjoying many friendships there. Returning to Northern Virginia to be near family in 2001, they lived at Vinson Hall Retirement Community in McLean, and then moved in 2010 to Sunrise Assisted Living in Reston. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 8229 Boone Blvd, Vienna, VA, 22182, Suite 510, or to Little Falls Presbyterian Church, Arlington, VA. A memorial service will be held at a future date. E-mail condolences may be made at adamsgreen.com.