Dr. Ernest W. Beasley Jr., M.D.

Dr. Ernest W. Beasley, Jr., M.D. laid down his stethoscope for the last time on January 6, 2019 and went to meet his maker. He died of natural causes at age 94. The medical staff at his birth on May 7, 1924, at the old Grady Hospital, could not have guessed that this child would rise from simple roots in Grant Park to a 60-year career as a caring physician to generations of Atlantans. He had a meaningful medical practice ending April 15, 2015, just 3 weeks shy of his 91st birthday. His competence, proven by his earning board certification in multiple specialties (Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Geriatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism), was complemented by his caring nature and unparalleled bedside manner.

Many wondered how he kept such an agile mind as he got on in years. He did so by always surrounding himself with people younger than himself. As a young physician he derived enormous joy teaching resident doctors. At that time foreign medical graduates served at only a few selected hospitals, and Dr. Beasley helped direct the teaching program at Crawford Long Hospital (now Emory Midtown). As a result of this, he developed a lifetime of friendships with doctors from many countries, including Turkey, Peru, Japan, France and many others.

Dr. Beasley was the only child of Ernest W. Beasley, Sr. and Arrinda Elizabeth Eidson. He attended Atlanta Public schools, graduating from Boys High School in 1942. His studies at Emory University were interrupted after only one year when he was called to serve his country with the U.S. Army in the Pacific theater in World War II. Upon returning to the US, he immersed himself in pre-medical studies with the help of the GI bill at Virginia Military Institute and Temple University and then went on to study and graduate from Georgetown School of Medicine. He did his internship at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C.

On July 1, 1950 he was wed to Ann Lee Jeffreys. Three weeks later he was called to duty in the Korean Conflict. He saw combat in Korea as a paratrooper with the 187th regiment of the 11th Airborne Division (now the 101st Division). He was awarded a Purple Heart Medal for being wounded during one of his parachuting missions. He returned to finish his medical training at Emory University in the Department of Medicine and at Grady Memorial Hospital. He established his Atlanta private practice in 1955 which was done solo for much of his career of 60 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter Mary Elizabeth (Mimi) Beasley, M.D. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Ann Lee Jeffreys Beasley, 2 daughters, Janet Ann Greer (Glen) and Barbara Elaine Paine (Joe) and a son Ernest W. Beasley, III, M.D. (Steppie), 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, NE, Sandy Springs on Friday evening January 11, 2019 from six until eight o’clock and a memorial service will be at Arlington Chapel on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at one o’clock with Reverend Dr. G. Gil Watson officiating. Prior to the memorial the family will gather for a private interment at Marietta Campground Cemetery.

The family especially wish to thank the wonderful employees of Belmont Village Buckhead and Capstone Hospice who cared lovingly for him during his final months.

The family ask that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the American Diabetes Association, The Empty Stocking Fund or the charity of one's choice.