Judith Beecher Halverson of Winston-Salem, NC passed away peacefully in her home Friday, May 23, 2025, under Hospice care after her fifth battle with cancer. Born in Galesburg, IL in 1943, she was the daughter of Merrill Charles Beecher and Martha Helen Youry Beecher. She was a voracious reader and sophophile, so much so that later in life she successfully pursued her MBA from Wake Forest University. She retired as the Family Practice Administrator at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, was a retired registered nurse, and a devoted mother to her two children, Michael B. Halverson and Anne C. Fleming. Ms. Halverson had an indominatable faith and, prior to illness, actively volunteered in many functions at Centenary United Methodist Church. In addition, she believed strongly in giving back to her community, to supporting the Arts in Winston-Salem, and enjoyed attending and supporting live performances. She adored golden retrievers, cooking, organizing family reunions, and, most of all, traveling.
Ms. Halverson is survived by her daughter, Anne C. Fleming and husband Greg of Winston-Salem; daughter-in-law Laurie S. Halverson of Southport, NC; grandson Charles F. Halverson (Charlotte) of Durham, NC; grandson Matthew S. Halverson of Charlotte, NC; sister Pamela B. Buckley (Jerald) of Los Altos, CA; sister Patricia B. Knight of Tucker, GA; brother-in-law Henry J. Collins of Statesboro, GA; cousin Stephen C. Mathers (Deanna) of Galesburg, IL; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her longtime caregiver, Farrah Eller, to whom the family will be forever grateful.
Ms. Halverson was preceded in death by her son, Michael B. Halverson, her parents Merrill and Martha Beecher, her sister Penelope S. Collins, her brother-in-law Kenneth L Knight, and her beloved golden retrievers, Ben I and Ben II.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Chapel at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Please do use the 4 ½ Street entrance to reach the Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service at Judy’s home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Centenary United Methodist Church https://centenary-ws.org/give/ or to the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, https://ci.ovationtix.com/36386/store/donations/44764
