Vashta Beckham

Blackmon

Mrs. Vashta Venetta Beckham Blackmon, age 42, a native and resident of Jackson, AL, was born November 2, 1974 to the parentage of Mrs. JoAnn Williams Beckham Garner and the late Mr. Willie Gray "Bear" Beckham, Jr.. Vashta departed this life November 9, 2016 at Providence Hospital, Mobile, AL.

Vashta gave her life to Christ at an early age and united with Mt. Olive #2 Missionary Baptist Church, Jackson, AL. She grew in the fear and admonition of the Lord under the pastorate of Rev. W. T. Lang by attending Baptist Training Union, Sunday school, and being an active participant in Sunbeams, Young Women Auxiliary, and as a choir member.

Later in her Christian journey, Vashta served dutifully in the Hope Ministry Auxiliary as a Youth Advisor and as assistant Sunday School Teacher for Class #3. She would readily volunteer and give of her time and resources to help make any effort successful.

A 1993 graduate of Jackson High School, Vashta furthered her education by attending Alabama Southern Community College. She also received studies through Colorado Technical University.

Vashta was captain of the color guard for the Aggie Band, and served as color guard sponsor for many years. She was employed as a substitute teacher for the Clarke County School System and was actively involved in the Lupus Association.

She was an avid fan of the Auburn Tigers ("War Eagle"), Carolina Panthers, and her beloved Alma Mater, Jackson High School Aggies. She loved planting flowers, decorating, sharing and mentoring young people, and most of all, she loved the Lord and doing for others.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Allen Williams, Sr. and Ola B. Williams; and paternal grandfather, Willie Gray Beckham, Sr.

She will forever be cherished in the hearts of her loving and devoted family; husband, Kenneth Blackmon, Sr.; son, Richard DeMarcos Walker; daughter, Variah Ja'Quetta Raven Walker; mother, JoAnn (Cleveland) Garner, all of Jackson, AL; one brother, Rev. Marius (Britney) Beckham, Sr., of Birmingham, AL; three sisters, Keitha (Rodney) Stewart of Birmingham, AL; Tolethia Kidd of Jackson, AL; and Mae Monigan of Mobile, AL, grandmother, Lallie Gray Beckham, Jackson, AL.; step-son, Kenneth Blackmon, Jr.; step-daughter, Macenlie Blackmon, both of Dallas, TX; step-sister, Tonya Fuller of Birmingham, AL; a host of nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends, which include Erica Clarke, Tangela Bell Richardson, Celeste Jackson, and Monarica McKenzie Foreman.

Viewing Friday, November 18, 2016, 3-7pm at Andrews Funeral Home, Jackson, AL. Viewing Saturday, November 19, 2016, 9am until the 11am service at Mt. Olive #2 Missionary Baptist Church, 105 Griffin Street, Jackson, AL; Dr. Stevenson E. Tullis, pastor; Rev. Marius Beckham, Sr., eulogist. Following burial in the Scott Family Plot of Mt. Sinai Bapt. Church Cemetery, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of Mt. Olive #2.

Services with sympathetic care and legendary professionalism entrusted to Andrews Funeral Home, 800 Depot Road, Jackson, AL. Condolences to the family at www.andrewsfuneralhomejackson.com and on Andrews Funeral Home Facebook page.