Donald Ernest Beckwith

Donald Ernest Beckwith, Sr., age 92, of Charlotte, NC, peacefully returned to Heaven on January 13th, 2017 while resting in his own bed, with loved ones near, on a remarkably warm full moon Friday the 13th, with a curtain open wide, to see the large oaks in a yard, he and Bonnie had transformed, over decades, into a small wildlife reserve, for the nature they both loved, and the grandchildren who loved to play among the trees and trails, among the birds, small critters and flowers.

Born on Leap Day, February 29, 1924, in Raleigh, he was the son of Vernon Ernest Beckwith and Cornealia Rich Beckwith. He was educated at Needham-Broughton and Cary High School, where he played on the basketball team that won the N.C. state championship. He went on to Hardbarger Business School, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was introduced to his future wife of 66 years, and guardian angel, Bonnie, a bonnie belle from Moore County, who was studying nursing at Rex Hospital School of Nursing.

During WWII, he served as crew chief in the Army Air Corps, which would become the U.S. Air Force, in the C.B.I. Theater.

His great loves were travel, reading, licorice, and entertaining, and being entertained by, his family. "He was a natural raconteur, and loved sharing his adventures, many of which he took with Bonnie, whose nursing education programs allowed them to visit and learn from medical programs in the former USSR, China, Ukraine and Hong Kong."

But for recreation, Don and Bonnie would gather with old friends who remained friends, every fall in the mountains, and in the spring at the beach. Backyard cookouts, and family reunions, were perennial family treats.

He was nearly taken down by Myasthenia Gravis, most recently, but was given a dozen or so more years, thanks to doctors and medicine.

He became auditor for the N.C. Department of Revenue, where he worked for 33 years.

He was a member of his beloved Newell Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon and elder, and also a life member of the Newell American Legion Post 287.

His parents and siblings are welcoming him to Heaven. He had two sisters, Elizabeth Thach, and Betty Lou Bland, and two brothers, Keith Nickalson, and William Beckwith. He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie; sons, Donald and David from Charlotte; daughters, Nancy Pearce of Fayetteville, and Sarah Littlejohn of Charlotte; grandchildren, Robert Littlejohn of Charlotte, Kevin Littlejohn of Cary, Daniel Littlejohn of Eden, Lauren Pearce of Raleigh, Matthew Pearce of Denton, Texas, and Kelsey Pearce of Fayetteville; and great-grandchildren, Grayson Littlejohn and William Littlejohn of Charlotte.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at McEwen Derita Chapel 6300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenderitachapel.com.