Alva Marie Beaston was born April 13, 1935, at Cookeville, TN to parents Alvin B. and Flora E. (Carter) Winfree. She attended school in Tennessee and received her GED while in California. On September 1, 1951, she was united in marriage to Curtis W. Beaston at Cookville, Tennessee. Later they moved to California where Curtis was stationed with the Air Force. Marie worked at Mervyn's Department Store when they lived in California. In 1969 they moved to Montevideo for a short time and then moved to rural Milan. Curtis and Marie bought the Jack & Jill store in Milan which they owned and operated for several years. After their retirement in 1984 they moved back to California for a few years returning to Milan in 1988. Marie had a great love for her family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with them and cooking great meals for everyone. Marie was an avid reader. So much so that the Milan Library was kept busy finding new books for her to enjoy. Bird watching was always at the top of her list in the early morning hours when she lived on the farm. A cup of coffee and out on the deck was where one would find her. When Marie wasn't spending time with family she enjoyed gardening, volunteering at church, and was a member of several clubs in California and Milan. Marie died on Monday evening, February 25, 2013, at Northridge Care Center in New Hope. She had attained 77 years, 10 months, and 12 days of age. She is survived by two daughters: Jacqueline Probst of Torrington, WY and Brenda (Arnold) Clausen of New Hope; eight grandchildren: Dana (Johnny) Wimberly, Susan (Robert) Anderson, Christina Probst, Candice (Marty) Flicek, Sarah Sprague, Joshua Beaston, Jacob Beaston, and Matthew Molden; three step-grandchildren: Peter, Andrew, and Jacob Clausen; eight great-grandchildren: Emily, Robert Phillip, John David, Reed, Lance, Hunter, Grace, and Andrew; five step-great-grandchildren: Preston, Kylie, Chase, Christian, and Meike; her brother, James Winfree, of Greensboro, TN; nieces, nephews, and other family. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Curtis, on January 12, 2008; her son, David; and three siblings: Mildred, William, and Alvin, Jr.
