Garland Loden Beasley was born on March 11, 1937 in Carbon Hill, Alabama. He went to be with his Savior on May 25, 2020 at the age of 83 in McKinney, Texas, where he resided since 1984.
Garland is survived by his wife of 40 years, Deborah Tipton Beasley, son Jonathan Beasley and husband Noel Phillips of Houston, son David Beasley of Richardson, daughter Melissa Johnson and husband David of North Richland Hills, daughter Elizabeth Castrianni and husband Chris of McKinney, daughter Rebecca Southgate of Frisco, six grandchildren - Avery Borders and husband Christopher, Ethan Johnson, Jordan and Ava Castrianni, Isabelle and Emma Southgate and brothers Darold Beasley and Bill Beasley of Alabama and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his precious 5 year old daughter, Maribeth.
Garland was the son of Thomas and Willie Beasley and was raised on a farm in the hills of Alabama. He and his brothers began working on the family farm at a young age and they had many stories to tell about picking cotton, fetching water from the well, chopping wood for the stove and the trips to town with a wagon full of watermelons to sell …50 cents or a dollar for a really big one! Garland vividly recalled attending summer church camp where he surrendered to the ministry at age 12. He graduated from Carbon Hill High school and went on to earn a Bachelor of Religion Degree from Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, Alabama. Garland was ordained at the age of 20. He married Minoise Hayes and they moved to Fort Worth, Texas, for Garland to attend seminary. He earned a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. During seminary, he pastored Glen Garden Baptist church. Garland served as the senior pastor of Lakeland Baptist Church in Lewisville, Texas, for many years.
Garland owned Beasley Printing Company in Richardson for 30 years. Through Beasley Printing, Garland met Deborah Tipton and they married in 1980. Following his retirement, he was blessed to re-enter the ministry at Christ Fellowship in McKinney, Texas, under the leadership of senior pastor, Bruce Miller. Garland served as a Care Pastor, Pastoral Counselor, Pastor of Baptism, Life Group Leader and other roles. He had a remarkable way of connecting with people. His greatest passion was to help those who were hurting. Garland was also passionate about his time as a Bible study teacher at the Collin County Detention Center and saw many led to Christ.
Garland had many hobbies (that is an understatement!) with golf being a favorite. With the help of many Christ Fellowship friends and neighbors, he built an aquaponics system. His goal was to grow enough vegetables to share with people who lacked nutritious food. He joked he was really great at growing tomatoes and grass! Garland's other hobbies included roasting organic green coffee beans in search of the perfect cup, reading three books at one time, and enjoying the banter of a good debate with friends.
Garland was a living miracle ... surviving 3 devastating strokes in 2016. Prayer warriors surrounded him and after 100 days in the hospital, he came home to begin his recovery. He officiated several weddings ceremonies following his therapy and would always begin with, “ I need to let you know that I am a stroke survivor. My talkin' is not very good, but my brain works just fine!” Garland was a great story teller with a Southern sense of humor and he retained that humor until the very end. Garland was a man of great tenacity. Anything he tackled he finished regardless of any barriers that might present themselves. A friend described that as “good old stubbornness”!
If you spent any time with Garland, you would be sure to hear about unconditional love. He offered it freely and encouraged others to do the same. After all, that is what Jesus is all about. On a recording that was made when Garland was very sick, he said, “What this world needs is unconditional love. Until we have that, this world is still going to be messed up.” Rather appropriate words for our current times. Many have commented they will remember Garland's smile, humor, gentle countenance, and his display of love for Jesus.
Regarding a memorial service for Garland, go to:
www.cfhome.org/garland
Christ Fellowship will host a live-streamed service at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, June 18, 2020 from the Worship Center. Participation options are to view the online service in your home, or from your device in the church parking lot. If you feel safe and are willing to social distance, there will be limited seating (by reservation) available in the Worship Center. The “reception” following the service will be a parade in honor of Garland in the Christ Fellowship parking lot (2801 Orchid Drive, McKinney, 75072). Parade participants will drive by Deb and Garland's families as an expression of their love and support.
In lieu of flowers, Deb is requesting donations to the Christ Fellowship “Love Fund”. This fund is specifically to help people in need. Please indicate “Garland Beasley Love Fund” in the memo line. Donations may also may be made online at Cfhome.org.
To register to attend the service in the church or or make a donation go to:
www.cfhome.org/garland