Beryl Gavitt

Beryl Virginia Gavitt, age 89, of Marshall, formerly of Greenville, Ionia, and Grand Rapids, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall. The daughter of George H. & Elizabeth Marion (Chandler) Brazee, she was born on October 24, 1924 in Greenville. A proud member of the Greenville Alumni Association, she was a 1941 graduate of Greenville High School. She attended Business College at Montcalm Community College in Sidney. From 1941 to 1945 she worked as a legal stenographer, a clerk in the Rationing Office, and as a lathe operator in a small factory. In 1946, she went to work as a stenographer for the Department of Social Services. From 1949 to 1963 while raising a family of four children, she worked various part-time jobs for the County Register of Deeds, the County Surveyor, Insurance office, thesis typing (at home - before erasable bond) and stenographical work for a former State Senator and State Treasurer. She also worked part-time as Secretary-Receptionist for the Montcalm County Nurses Office. In 1963 she worked full-time as the Office Manager of the Mid-Michigan District Health Department of Montcalm Gratiot and Clinton Counties. From 1969 to 1971 she worked as a Sales Manager for Fabers Jewelry Store in Greenville. In 1971 she took the final job of her working career, Administrative Assistant of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association. She retired from her beloved principals association in 1989. In Greenville she was a member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church. In Grand Rapids she was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church where she became an avid competitor of cribbage with Pastor Michael Fedewa, and in Marshall attended Trinity Episcopal Church where she made many dear friends and felt at home. She was also served on the Central Montcalm Board of Education, and several local organizations as secretary and filing clerk. She was a proud member of the Democratic Party and one of her favorite items of clothing was her Obama sweatshirt. In her retirement she volunteered wherever she lived at voting polls, libraries, health clinics, delivering meals for Oaklawn Hospital, and at various positions in the church. Beryls greatest love was her family. She took a special interest in each child, grandchild, and great child. She amazed her family with her memory of facts, dates, and historical events. She inspired her loved ones with her ability to make fun out of any situation and to always look at the positive side of life. She laughed and cried with each family triumph and setback. She loved her friends, many of whom preceded her in death. She was preceded in death by her parents; the father of her four amazing children ,Leo C. Red Gavitt; a brother, George H. Uncle Herb Brazee; and a great grandchild, Jonah Kelm. Surviving are her children, Sharon & Robert Olsen of Burton, Rebecca Murphy of Marshall, Deborah & Frank Hicks of Middleville, and Stephen & Mary Kay Gavitt of Olivet; six grandchildren, Shannon Olsen, Gretchen & Reese Porter, Sarah & Mark Kelm, Elizabeth Breitkreutz, Tracey & Jamie Kring, and Katherine & Brent Erickson; great grandchildren, Jordan Kring, Logan Kring, Quinlin Olsen, Julia Kelm, Mia Kelm, Vaughn Porter, and Owen Erickson; step-grandchildren, Frank Hicks, Blaine Hicks, Lauren Burtts, Kevin Hendrix, Justin Hicks, and Bethany Hicks, step-great grandchildren, Mariah Abson, Bekah, Hannah and Samuel Burtts, Michael Hicks, and Daniel Johnson. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Beryl Gavitt, please visit our flower store.