Marvelene H. Beatty, 77, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the Kansas City Hospice House after a valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 26th at the Leawood Baptist Church, 8200 State Line Road, Leawood, Kansas.

Born in Indiana, Marvelene graduated in a class of 15 seniors from Spurgeon High School where she was a cheerleader for the Black and Red Cardinals basketball team. She married Max Beatty in 1955, a returning veteran from the Korean War. A short eight years later with their five children, age 3 months to six years, they trucked to Kansas City in a U-Haul and a ‘53 Cadillac. There Max became scenic designer and technical director in the UMKC Theater Department.

In addition to raising her family, Marvelene's organizational skills lead her to earn a work certificate in church administration. She later served for 17 years in the Shawnee Mission School District as a bookkeeper at SM East and at SM North. Retiring in 1999, she volunteered and then took a part-time position as financial secretary for her beloved congregation at Leawood Baptist Church, where she and Max have been active members for over 40 years. Her faith in Christ sustained her throughout her life. An avid reader, Marvelene also enjoyed quilt making, traveling and camping with family and time spent with her friends. She was blessed with an inquisitive demeanor that always put the concerns of others first.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Max Beatty and four sons, Michael, Mitchel, Martin and Mathew. Her only daughter, Marla, sadly precedes her in death. Also surviving are: son-in-law Dave Carpenter and his wife Donna, and daughter-in-law Louise Marshall; three grandchildren Jason, Trey and Theo and four great grandchildren; two brothers, Ernie and Joel Wilhite and sister, Vicki Jane Parrish; sister-in-law Adra Faye Green. She is preceded in death by sister- in-law Bonnie Thompson and brother-in law David "Bud" Beatty. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life

Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 26, 2013, at Leawood Baptist Church, 8200 State Line Road, Leawood, Kansas 66206.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Marvelene Beatty Memorial Fund at Leawood Baptist Church, 8200 State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66206.