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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 72
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere condolences upon the passing of Eddie L. Beckwith
Jr., former Tallulah mayor.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of Tallulah mayor Eddie Beckwith Jr.3
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and great sadness that the state of Louisiana and4
its citizens have learned of the passing of Tallulah mayor Eddie Beckwith Jr., on March 27,5
2014, at the age of sixty-four after his long and hard-fought battle with cancer; and6
WHEREAS, at the time of his death he was serving his second term as mayor, having7
been first elected in 2006; and8
WHEREAS, Eddie Beckwith Jr. was a native of Tallulah, Louisiana, and was born9
on August 10, 1949, and attended Wright Elementary School, graduated from Reuben10
McCall High School, obtained a bachelor of arts degree from Northwestern State University11
in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and was twelve hours away from a master's degree in human12
resources and development at Webster University, St Louis, Missouri; and13
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckwith also served his country in the United States Army,14
making it a career spanning over three decades with over thirty-three years of active and15
reserve duty military service; and16
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckwith was a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants17
Major Academy Resident Phase, at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and during his service, he received18 SCR NO. 72
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numerous promotions, awards, accolades, honors and decorations, retiring from the United1
States Army with the highest rank that a noncommissioned officer can achieve, a rank of2
command sergeant major at the E-9 rank; and3
WHEREAS, Eddie Beckwith Jr. served over twenty-one years in state government4
with the Department of Social Services, and then returned to Tallulah as Chief Director of5
Operations of Beckwith Golden Gate Funeral Home; and6
WHEREAS, Mayor Beckwith was a leader and a friend, a gentleman with much7
talent and a strong work ethic, who as mayor, had a positive motto of "Together we can";8
and9
WHEREAS, he is survived by his loving, devoted and dedicated wife of forty-three10
years, Mary Louise Jones Beckwith, and their two cherished children, Michael Dwayne11
Beckwith and Tiffany Nicole Beckwith; and12
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the town of Tallulah experienced continued13
growth and vitality with many accomplishments such as the improvements of streets, fire14
protection, recreational activities, expansion of affordable quality housing developments,15
improved public facilities, improved flood protection, and the overall quality of Tallulah;16
and17
WHEREAS, upon his death, the world lost a unique individual who left an indelible18
mark upon the lives of all those who knew him in his community, in his town of Tallulah,19
and in the state of Louisiana; and20
WHEREAS, with the death of Mayor Eddie Beckwith Jr., the state has lost one of21
her finest sons; a man who loved God, his family, country, state, town, community, and22
profession; and23
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckwith was the kind of man who represents what is good about24
Louisiana; a man of wisdom who always used his considerable talents, integrity, loyalty, and25
passion to change his community, town, state and country for the better; a man who26
dedicated his life to public service to his town, state, and country, and to protecting and27
making the world a better place to live not only for our generation but for future generations28
as well; and29
WHEREAS, because of his numerous accomplishments in public and private life,30
the death of Eddie Beckwith Jr. has left a void in his community and has created a genuine31 SCR NO. 72
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sense of profound sorrow in his town, state, country, and especially for his friends and1
family; and2
WHEREAS, Mayor Beckwith was a vital force in Northeast Louisiana and cared3
about the region and the state as a whole, his vision was one of a more prosperous and4
progressive future, and he was especially excited about Tallulah's potential; and5
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,6
and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication7
of people like Eddie Beckwith Jr. who use their considerable talents and resources to help8
and serve others.9
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby10
honor the life of Eddie Beckwith Jr. and his numerous accomplishments in public and11
private life and extend sincere condolences to his family on the occasion of his death.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted the13
family of Eddie Beckwith Jr.14
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Tammy Crain Waldrop.
DIGEST
Thompson SCR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of Eddie Beckwith Jr.