MARION, VIRGINIA: DEANE EDWIN BEAMER, age 78, died Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee.
He was born in Crewe, Virginia and attended Emory & Henry College where he met his future wife, Libby. He later attended the University of Richmond where he received a B.S. in Accounting. Deane then studied at the Medical College of Virginia where he received his Masters Degree in Hospital Administration and was recognized for outstanding academic achievement with the A.D. Williams Award. He completed his residency at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina and then moved to Marion, Virginia to serve as Hospital Administrator where he was instrumental in establishing Smyth County Community Hospital and was in service there for 29 years. Following his retirement, he continued to serve various hospitals as Interim CEO in North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia. In 1992, he co-founded a medical record consulting company in partnership with his daughter, Betsy. This company, Health Information Associates, is celebrating its successful 20th anniversary this year. Deane was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was a member of the Royal Oak Presbyterian Church where he had served as Deacon and Elder. He was a past president of the Marion Rotary Club and a long time member of the Marion Kiwanis Club. He was also active in the Marion Jaycees, Red Cross and other civic organizations where he was recognized for outstanding service.
Deane is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Hyder Beamer of Marion, Virginia; three daughters, Jamie Beamer of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Laurie Beamer of Abingdon, Virginia, and Betsy Beamer Bailey and her husband Bruce of Pawleys Island, South Carolina; one sister, Doris Collier of Norfolk, Virginia; four grandchildren, Leigh Jones Phillips, who is considered a daughter, Brian Phillips, Beth Ann Bailey, Tyler Beamer Bailey, and Rachel Leigh Bailey; four great-grandchildren, Jordan Phillips, Hunter Phillips, Hannah Phillips and Tanner Phillips. Several nieces and nephews also survive, including a special niece, Shirley Collier and her husband Roy.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at Royal Oak Presbyterian Church with Reverend Alan Gray officiating and Reverend Steve Cathcart assisting. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
Flowers may be accepted or donations may be made to Smyth County Free Clinic, P. O. Box 1273, Marion, VA 24354.R
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Beamer Family.