Seven children, 29 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, four great-greatgrandchildren, 60 quilts and 35-plus pillows remain as a legacy from Dolores Beaty, 94, who passed away in her Newcastle home on March 30 this year.
Dolores had made a goal about 15 years ago to make quilts for every one of her family members. Unfortunately, because of painful arm and shoulder conditions, she made her last quilt about a year ago after making 60plus quilts. Family members who had not received a quilt prior to her passing, were given special memory pillows that Dolores made from pieces of fabric from her clothing along with hand-embroidered hearts made from Dolores’ husband’s socks that she had kept since his passing in 2000.
As Dolores was laid to rest April 5 in funeral services at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Blanchard, 80 of her quilts were on display, some from her earlier years but most from the last 15 years.
Her granddaughter, Diana Bristol, wrote the following about Dolores.
‘GRANNY’S LIFE MISSION’
Granny marks the end of an era — the era of real family. Growing up, Sundays were filled with family time with dinner prepared by Granny. We would always sneak into the kitchen and grab a fresh homemade cookie out of her green glass cookie jar while she rolled her noodles out on the cabinet to make the best noodles, no one can replicate these to this day, to go with her roast she had prepared.
While dinner was cooking, we would climb trees and get lost outside until we heard grandpa’s whistle.
Granny hosted the largest, most fun Easter Egg hunts every year. Grandpa would find the eggs that we missed for weeks. We always heard about it when he hit them with the mower.
Every Christmas Eve was spent at our grandparents. In the early years, we drew names because the family was too big to buy for everyone. After we opened gifts, all the kids would gather on her porch and point out Rudolf in the sky. In 1996, the grandkids had grown up so we started playing Dirty Santa with themed baskets which turned into the tradition every Christmas since.
As the years passed, the gift baskets began to form into very sentimental baskets and became a competition of talents. Aunt Carol made wreaths while Aunt Susan made crocheted animals, rugs and more. Granny, well she stepped it up and made quilts. Boy did we fight for her quilts. It must have been the Dirty Santa baskets that made Granny realize how much we all valued her quilts as it then became her mission in life to make quilts for all her children, all her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Then the great-greats came along and even being in her 90s, it didn’t stop her. She made a few quilts for them then made pillows from the fabric of her clothes with a heart stitched into each one, made from our grandpa’s socks. Such precious gifts.
The last 10 days of her life were a roller coaster of emotions but I’m grateful for every minute I’ve had with her. I witnessed how truly strong our Granny was fighting to stay ’til the very end. I really feel she was enjoying all the family coming together for her in her final days as I heard her say multiple times when family members entered, “I just can’t believe it.”
Dolores Laverne (Faller) Beaty, passed away in her home in Newcastle on March 30, 2023. The daughter of Oliver and Nellie Elsie (Henley) Faller, Dolores was born on June 9, 1928, in Oklahoma City.
Dolores grew up in Oklahoma City and was a graduate of Capitol Hill High School. She married Willard Eason Beaty on October 15, 1948, and this marriage lasted for 51 years until Willard’s passing in 2000. They had lived in Newcastle since 1970. Willard and Dolores owned and operated Bethany Hardware in the early 1980s for about four or five years. Dolores was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Blanchard, where she worked in the genealogy library.
For the most part of her life, Dolores worked as a homemaker. And what a homemaker she was. She loved making her home beautiful and inviting with Home Interior. She loved sewing, and made all the girls’ wedding dresses. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking. She was a part of the Home Extension Club in Newcastle for a time. But quilting was something she loved and excelled at for many years.
Time with family was important to Dolores and she enjoyed spending time at the lake with family members. She will be missed by all of her family and friends.
Dolores is preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Willard Eason Beaty; daughter, Susan Kay Myers; grandson, Brent Bristol; sister, Georgia Lee Stanford; and brother, Lindsey D. Faller.
Dolores is survived by: her children, Carol Jean Stier and husband Ken of Guthrie, Gary Dean Beaty and wife Betty of Cashion, Delia Ann Bristol and husband Wayne of Newcastle, Terri Lynn Bates and husband Kerry of Newcastle, Mark Wayne Beaty and wife Carrie of Leflore, and Jeffrey Eason Beaty and wife Amy of Verdigris; son-in-law, David Myers of Newcastle, and 29 grandchildren. She is survived by 52 great-grandchildren and four great-greatgrandchildren; two sisters, Shirley D. Berna and husband Jerry Harry of Oklahoma City, and Sandra F. Vassar and husband Clarence of Oklahoma City; sister-in-law, Wanda Faller of Mount Vernon, Washington; and many more nieces, nephews and loving family members and friends.
A group of the family members plan to continue Dolores’ quilt legacy and continue making quilts for the remaining great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who did not receive a quilt — all in her memory. Family members said they will miss her so very much, but continue to honor her for the love and dedication she gave to her family.
‘QUILTS OF LOVE’
By Terri Beaty Bates
in memory of Dolores Beaty
She’s our Sister, our Mother, our Grandmother, our Friend She caresses our hearts, As her long journey ends. In so many ways, She has shown us her love. From warm hugs to kisses, Delicate as the down of a dove. But the most memorable gifts She leaves to us all, Are the quilts made with love Sewn from pieces so small. Quilts made from fabric, Pieced together by hand, To cover each one of us, While flows the hourglass sand. For children and grandchildren And sisters and brothers, For friends and loved ones And so many others. She stitched and stitched, Both by day and by night. She worked ‘til it hurt, Making sure they’re just right. Her body became frail, Her mind not as sharp, But she continued with love, Straight from her heart. We will cherish forever, These fine Quilts of Love, As she continues her work From heaven up above.
