Alta Mae “Meme” Beckham

Alta Mae “Meme” Beckham, 92, of Van Buren, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025 at her home. She was born August 13, 1932 in Eufaula to the late Gilford and Wyneama (Brashier) Edwards. She had worked for Walmart in Van Buren and Alma and had been a beautician.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Finis Beckham; two sons-in-law, Phil Smith and Larry Hendrickson; four siblings, Carl Brashier, Calvin Edwards, Lawrence Edwards, and Juanita Buscenius; and a grandson, David Hendrickson.

She is survived by three daughters, Sandy Smith of Fort Smith, and Phyllis Beckham-Scott and Pamela Hendrickson, both of Van Buren; a son, Rick Beckham and wife Carla of Mt. Juliet, TN; nine grandchildren, Clay Smith (Ellen), Pierce Beckham, Blake Mashburn, Carrie Morgan (Matthew), Jennifer Gragg (Michael), Julie Stockton (Brandon), Thomas Beckham, Marcus Beckham, and Nathan Gragg (Jadah); twelve great-grandchildren, Riley Morgan, Cash Morgan, Sloane Morgan, Abby Gragg, Bentley Soultaire, Brycen Hamilton, Zoee Mashburn, Mackenzie Curren (Seth), Noah Hendrickson, Jacob Hendrickson, Micah Hendrickson, and Tyler Stockton; and two great-great-grandchildren, Hudson and Hunter Gragg.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Gragg, Brycen Hamilton, Bentley Soultaire, Noah Hendrickson, Thomas Beckham, Cash Morgan, Sloane Morgan, Clay Smith, Matthew Morgan, Hudson Gragg, Hunter Gragg, and Blake Mashburn.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2025, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Meme’s angels (caregivers), Sherry Russell, Laurie Rich, and Susie Wylie.