Dorothy M. Bequeaith
January 17, 2017
Dorothy Mae (Gilliam) Bequeaith, 97 years old, died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Taylor Hospice House from heart complications. Dorothy was born August 27, 1919, in Fort Des Moines, Iowa. Dorothy was the daughter of Alexander Nelson Gilliam and Alta Dale Hardman Gilliam.
Services will be Monday, January 23, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Ft. Des Moines United Methodist Church, 6205 S.W. 9th St., Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be Sunday, January 22, 2017 from 1 to 3 pm, at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 S.W. 9th St., Des Moines, Iowa. Interment will follow services at Glendale Cemetery.
Preceding her in death was the love of her life, her husband for 66 years, Robert (Bob) Maxwell Bequeaith, (died, April 16, 2002); her great grandson, Ryan Alan Woodward, and her eleven brothers and sisters, Katie Lee Carney, Madeline Florence Foote, Rosella Angeline Roach, Virginia Irene Magneson, Eva Helene Sweet, Arminda Marguerite Gilliam, Alta Nadine Gilliam, and Thomas Clifton (Tom), Theodore Ronald Nelson (Ted), Carl Fredrick (Bud), and Hubert Leroy (Hugh) Gilliam.
Surviving are: daughter, Janet Louise Bequeaith, Des Moines, Ia.; sons, David Allen Bequeaith, wife, Judith, Des Moines, Ia.; John Nelson Bequeaith, wife, Dixie, Polk City, Ia.
Grandchildren: David Michael Bequeaith, (Amber Arnett-Bequeaith) Colleyville, Tx.; Todd Matthew Murphy, Des Moines, Ia.; Heidi Ann (Chris) Riley, Des Moines, Ia.; Mark Robert Bequeaith, (Suzanne Stewart), Des Moines, Ia.; Anne Louise (Dave) Woodward, Norwalk, Ia.; Wendy Sue (Andrew) Shoemaker, Lawrence, Ks.; Daniel John (Michelle) Bequeaith, Polk City, Ia., Erin Renae (Todd) Hoskins, West Des Moines, Ia.
Fourteen great grandchildren: Savannah Rae Bequeaith, Beau Alexander Bequeaith, Drake Allen Bequeaith, Dylan Maxwell Bequeaith, David Boone Russo, David Brandon Woodward, Nicholas Robert Woodward, Jack Stewart Bequeaith, Frieda Jane Bequeaith, Louise Dorothy Bequeaith, Carter John Hoskins, Madeline Elizabeth Bequeaith, Christian Daniel Bequeaith, Julia Noelle Bequeaith.
Great, great grandchildren, Elijah, Amelia, and Trinity Woodward. And many nieces and nephews; and other extended family and friends.
Dorothy was employed at the Des Moines Register and Tribune, and later at the Polk County Treasurer's Office, retiring in 1972.
Dorothy enjoyed sewing, painting, reading, writing poetry, and entertaining all who gathered to hear her tell her stories of the Gilliam family.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Doctors Without Borders, or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Roberta (Bobbie) Nelson
01/22/2017
To the family of Dorothy,my prayers and sympathy are with you at this time. I met Dorothy when we were in a group of Red Hats named the Foxey Mamas.
Joanne Gilliam McFarland
01/20/2017
Aunt Dorothy, thank you for giving me my Gilliam family. If it were not for you I wouldn't have a since of where I came from. You are such an inspiration and I will miss our talks. I will cherish my quilt and painting, they are displayed for everyone to see.
Karen Evans Britt
01/20/2017
Condolences to all of you. Dorothy was always one of my favorite people, I was so blessed to have known her and had great wonderful years growing up - knowing her as my neighbor. She was always so loving, her laugh, stayed with me in my memories through the years. In loving sympathy,
Phyllis Witt Gilliam
01/19/2017
All of my family loved her very much. I got to visit with her on the phone at her home. She was such a beautiful lady inside and out. I shall miss her very much and I missed all the stories she could tell me. She was the last of my dear fathers family I liked it when she would tell me the stories about my dad. Uncle Bob and her grandson will be so happy to see her and she will get to tell those stories again to her sisters and brothers and her dear Mom and Dad.
Karen-George Waits
01/19/2017
You will greatly missed Aunt Dorothy. Heaven has another angel to celebrate.
Larry and Alice Woods
01/18/2017
We are so very sorry for your loss. No words can be said to ease you pain. Sincere Condolence.