John W. Beavers, Jr.
John W. Beavers, Jr. (J.W ., Rev., Pastor, Captain, Mr. John) was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 19, 1928 to John Sr. and Ronette Beavers.
John was loved by his parents, siblings, wife, children, other family members, parishioners, customers and friends.
John was educated in the Chicago public school system. He served in the United States Army during WWII, after being honorably discharged from service , he pursued his Theological calling and attended Garrett Theological Seminary.
John became the youngest Presiding Elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church . He was a radio prayer line minister during the sixties. John was a CME church historian, many of his findings were documented in the Christian Index a CME Church publication. He served diligently for over fifty(50) years in the CME church.
John was active in the Civil Rights Movement during the sixties, were he encouraged and urged people to register to vote . He became director of one of the first Head Start Programs in the South, these were some of his proudest moments.
John attended Cleveland State University, and held many positions in his lifetime. He served as president of the United Paper Workers Union of America (United Steelworkers Union) .
John was appointed as Presiding Elder of the NE Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia District where he served until his retirement.
In his later years he was a member of the staff of Family Affairs Dining this became his joy interacting with his customers and vendors .
John was preceded in death by his parents John Sr. and Ronette Beavers, his brothers Earnest (Edwina), Ronald (Sandra), his first wife Ulean.
He leaves to cherish his memories , his loving wife Blanche; his children, Debrah (Jarvie) Holman, Jeffery (Maggie) Beavers, Wilma (Danny) Martin, Chuck Beavers, Wendy (Sed) Freeman, his grandchildren; Brother Robert (Kathy) Beavers, Sisters Grace and Gwen Beavers; Sisters in Laws Ruth (Marty) Cobb, Grace (David) McNeill and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Saturday, June 5th, from 11:00am – 12:00pm at Niday Funeral Home, with the Funeral Service starting at 12:00pm.
