Mollie Rebecca Beach

Mollie Beach, 91, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. She had been a resident there for two years.

Mollie Rebecca (Fitzwater) Beach was born in Colorado Springs, CO, on August 4, 1924, the daughter of Daniel and Mattie (Callison) Fitzwater, who preceded her in death. She was reared in the West Liberty area of Putnam County, MO. Mollie graduated from Unionville High School and immediately began teaching in rural schools in Putnam County. She eventually earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Kirksville State Teacher’s College (now Truman University) and continued to teach for 35 years. She taught at West Putnam R-3 School, in Sewal, IA, and most of her career as a kindergarten teacher in Seymour, IA.

Mollie married Alva “Leotis” Beach in Lancaster, MO, on July 30, 1944, and he preceded her in death on March 4, 2009. Three daughters were born to this union: Karen, Debbie, and Darlene. Mollie was a wonderful seamstress, sewing everything from curtains, to Barbie doll clothes, and from wedding dresses for her girls to suits for her husband. She liked to quilt in later years. She also raised a big garden and canned the produce from it. Mollie was active with Leotis on the farm as well, especially helping in the custom hay baling they did. She was a 4-H leader in cooking and sewing for many years. Mollie was a faithful member of Unionville First Christian Church.

Mollie is survived by her three daughters: Karen Houf and husband Robert of Unionville, MO, Debbie Inman and husband Dennis of Seymour, IA, and Darlene Crouse and husband Rodney of Trenton, MO. Her grandchildren are Isaac Houf and wife Rhonda, Lauren Bryant and husband Loran, Angela Laughlin and husband Greg, Jill Bailey and husband Paul, Heather Inman and companion Chuck Moody, and Jason Crouse and wife Lois. Great grandchildren are Kadin, Jeriah, Annika, and Elysha Houf, Graci Crouse, and step grandchild Ashley Weaver.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mollie was preceded in death by twin daughters, Iris Sue and Lily Ann, who were stillborn, and by a brother, Claud Fitzwater.

Funeral services for Mollie Beach will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 18, 2016. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Putnam County Care Center or to I-MO Christian Camp and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.