Beverly Gary, 87

Beverly Delores (Brewer) Gary, age 87 of Venice, FL, and formerly of Constantine, passed away on July 3, 2024 in Venice, Florida.  Beverly was born in Constantine on September 21, 1937, a daughter of Elwood Merle Brewer and Ferne Chappelear Yates Brewer.  She graduated from Constantine Public Schools.

On July 3, 1954 she was married to Dean Barodel Stephenson. Born to that marriage was Ronald Dean Stephenson, Dianna June Stephenson Carsten, Debra Lynn Stephenson Wilkins, and Kenneth Elwood Stephenson Gary.

On December 17, 1971, she married Raymond Gale Gary in Denver, and together they had one child, Beverly Ann Gary. Kenneth Elwood Stephenson Gary was adopted by Raymond when he turned 18.

Beverly enjoyed quilting, sewing, and crocheting. In 1987, she joined the Bright Hopes Quilting Guild in Kenner, La., later becoming its president. She joined the Gulf States Quilting Association in 1987 too. In 1992, she became Show Director for the biannual New Orleans Quilt show which she named the “Heart of Quilting “. She was elected President of QSQA in 1993-1994. She also began teaching quilting at this time and won many quilting awards. She was a member of the Western Slope Quilters in Grand Junction, Co. There the Brewer-Kleer Family History Quilt that she had created was documented by the Colorado Quilting Council’s historical Documentation Registry number 4258 on November 15. 1997. After moving to McComb, Ms. in 1998, she joined the Pike County Quilters and became president of that group in 1999.

Surviving Beverly are her children Ronald Dean Stephenson, Debra Lynn Wilkins, Kenneth Elwood Gary, and Beverly Ann Gary; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and siblings Steve Ralph and Maxine Brewer, Myrt Brewer, and Larry Rentfrow.

She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Gary, parents Elwood and Ferne Brewer, brother Robert Elwood Brewer, sister Joyce Catherine Brewer Carlin-Matson, sister Linda Suzanne Brewer Rentfrow, daughter Dianna June Stephenson Carsten, and grandson Michael Dean Stephenson.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place.  A graveside memorial service will take place at Constantine Township Cemetery (510 Florence, Constantine, MI) on August 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM.  Memorial contributions can be given to Tidewell Hospice (Venice, FL).  Please visit www.eleyfuneralhomes.com to sign Beverly’s online guestbook and to leave a message for the family.