Celebrating Precious Memories of Dr. Mary E. Beck, D. Min; Ph. D.
Sunrise September 4, 1935 – Sunset August 5, 2021
“You will truly be missed.”
Throughout Dr. Mary E. Beck’s life, she enjoyed giving numerous hours of dedication to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on local, regional, and national levels. The leadership she has gained through Zeta led her to become active in other known organizations throughout the state of Texas. The skills she developed from being a dedicated Zeta for over 66 years allowed her to become a Soror that served with other chapter members that were seeking guidance, knowledge, and leadership skills.
In 1957, Dr. Mary E. Beck became a member of the prestigious sorority of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Theta Chapter at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. Her graduate chapter memberships included Kappa Zeta Chapter in Dallas and Upsilon Nu Zeta Chapter in Lancaster. In 2005, she became a charter member of the Upsilon Nu Zeta Chapter, where she served as the Parliamentarian. Upsilon Nu Zeta awards a yearly scholarship of $1,000 in honor of Dr. Mary E. Beck named the “Dr. Mary Beck Scholarship”. Since her initiation 66 years ago, she has served the sisterhood in various capacities, chairing and serving on the following committees: Membership, Blue Revue, Share and Care, Finer Womanhood and Stork’s Nest. She had the honor to be elected to the National Foundation Board where she served for 12 years. During this time, she received the Barbara West Carpenter Volunteerism Award and the Roberta Bell Sims Award presented by the Southern Region of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Mary assisted her husband, Frater Kendall Beck, as he chaired the Zeta Male Network on the Regional and National levels during conferences. She often looked forward to Upsilon Nu Zeta’s annual retreat, held at the beginning of each new sorority year, and she served as an advisory to the president of Upsilon Nu Zeta.
In addition to serving the community through the Zeta sorority, Dove Mary Beck became a member of several other organizations. Zeta helped Dr. Beck adventure off and become an asset in other organizations in the community such as The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. – Minnie H. Page Section, Top Ladies of Distinction Inc. – Trinity West Chapter, and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Alpha Rho Chapter. Dove Beck was also a member of First Methodist Evangelistic Church, Dallas, Texas where she sang in the choir.
She became a member of the Dallas Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. in 1977, where she served as President for four years. In 1984, Mary wrote a pamphlet on Common Rules of Protocol. In 1986, she was nominated as “Top Lady of the Year”. In 1988-1990, she received the Lucellestine Wilson Award for Outstanding Chapter President of Area I. In 1989, Lady Beck was listed in “Who’s Who in Area 1, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.” She also served with the following committees: Community Beautification, Parliamentarian, Chaplain, and the Social Committee. In 2007, Dr. Beck and twenty (20) Outstanding Ladies in Dallas organized the Trinity West Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction where she previously served as the chapter Chaplain.
Establishing her commitment to the community through her work in education with many other organizations, she was the recipient of numerous commendations and honors. Some of these awards included: National Teacher of the Year Award presented by Dallas ISD; Woman of the Year Award; James Gates Award for “Excellence in Education” presented by the Black Chamber of Commerce; 48 Years of Service Award (UNCF); and the American Red Cross Award for 45 Years of Service. Dr. Beck was a DISD “Teacher of the Year” finalist in 2000, and she received the ‘Educator of the Year’ Award presented by Paul Quinn College in 2001. She earned the NAACP Award for Education and was recipient of the George H. Chandler Educator’s Award during the Beta Chapter’s Centennial of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Mary E. Beck was a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Wiley College and a Master of Arts Degree from Southern Methodist University. She later attended North Texas State University and received a certification in Elementary Education. Dr. Beck also attended Texas Woman’s University and received a teaching certification for students with Intellectual Disabilities for grades Pre-K through 12. To add to her educational accolades, Dr. Beck earned a Master of Administration and Supervision from Prairie View A&M University.
After her retirement in 2002, she attended Vision University and received a Doctorate in Ministry. In 2004, she returned to Vision University to earn a Doctorate in Philosophy and Leadership. Dr. Beck continued her professional career as a substitute in Dallas ISD. Dr. Beck made history in several areas during her life span. She was the first Golden Life Member in Kappa Zeta and first in the “Mighty Southern” Region. She was also the first member to receive a Life Membership in Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. since its inception in 1965. She made history again by becoming the first member in the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. to receive a Ruby Life and Diamond Life Membership. Dr. Beck and husband, Dr. Kendell Beck, were the first couple from Texas to receive Life Memberships in the Texas Association of Black School Educators. She was also the first Black American woman certified as a Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas.
She has had the honor of serving on the following Board of Directors:
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., National Educational Foundation- Twelve Years
National Law Enforcement Officers- Memorial Funds- Ten Years
Dallas Post Tribune- Thirty Years
Camp Summit- Soroptimist International of the Americas- Six Years
Creative Services for the Elderly- Ten Years
Wiley College, Board of Trustees –Four Years
Dr. Mary E. Beck was married to Frater Kendall Beck, D. Min, Ph.D. Frater Beck is remembered as an outstanding Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. She leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Taff Wilson and Edward J. Wilson; the proud grandmother of five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.
Memorial Service
Tuesday, August 17, 2021@6pm
Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home
6449 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75241-2522 >
A Celebration of Life for Dr. Mary E. Beck
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 @11am
Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ
1308 Rogers Ave, Lancaster, TX 75134
