Elza Fern Beaver

Elza Fern (Hand) Beaver, 87, Viola, Arkansas was born January 10, 1930, daughter of Leslie and Lessie (Newton) Hand in Hand, Arkansas. She departed this life on May 5, 2017 in Viola, Arkansas.   Fern spent her working years as a school teacher at Viola Schools for twenty six years and was a member of the Viola First Baptist Church in Viola, Arkansas. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. Fern was a generous friend and caretaker to many. She brought joy with her love of laughter, inspired her family and community with her love of learning, and shone as an example of selfless love and service to all she encountered. She created family traditions that will bring a lifetime of happiness and memories to her family who loved her dearly. She will be remembered and deeply missed for her great faith, kindness, generosity and loving spirit.   Fern is survived by two sons, Mike Beaver of Viola, Arkansas and Tim Beaver of Viola, Arkansas; two daughters, Debbie West of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Kathy Brown and husband Roger of West Plains, Missouri; one sister, Joy Batteate of Hayward, California; five grandchildren, Michelle Corbitt and husband John, Lisa Gurry and husband David, Shawna Loges and husband Jess, Joshua West and wife Emily and Adam West and wife Natalie; nine great grandchildren; two nieces, Sheila Dutt and Barbara Foster; three nephews, Ken Batteate, Don Newberry and Charles Newberry and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister (Glenda Hand).   Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, May 8, 2017 at Viola First Baptist Church in Viola, Arkansas with Bro. John Hodges and Bro. Larry Ring officiating. Interment will be in the Viola Cemetery in Viola, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Adam West, David Gurry, Joshua West, Jess Loges, John Corbitt and Darick Brown. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are entrusted to Barker Funeral Home of Salem, Arkansas.