Beulah Gentry Even Stuart

Beulah Gentry Even Stuart, known to all as Bea, 93, died on Thursday, December 25, 2014. She was born August 29, 1921, in Boone County, Missouri, a daughter of Charles A. and Brooksie (James) Gentry. Her parents preceded her in death, and she was raised in the home of her grandparents Richard T. and Martha Taylor Gentry, and seven paternal aunts and uncles. She was married to Paul August Even of Hermann, on April 22, 1950, in El Paso, Texas. Paul preceded her in death on December 6, 2000. She attended Walnut Grove and Grindstone Schools in Boone County, and was a 1938 graduate of Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri. She then attended Rosenthal School of Commerce in Columbia. During World War II, she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, and was a member of the Columbia Service Club, the Business and Professional Women's Club, and President of Beta Sigma Phi. Bea and her husband Paul moved first to Sedalia, and then to Jefferson City in 1953. She worked as a sales representative and manager in women's shops in El Paso, Sedalia and Jefferson City. She was also employed by Farmers Mutual Insurance. After 20 years of employment by the Heart of Missouri Girl Scout Council in Jefferson City, she retired as Finance Director in 1986. She was active as a volunteer and leader for both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, for whom she served on the Roundtable of the Five Rivers District. She was a lifetime member of the Board of Governors of Capital Regional Medical Center and served on its Committee on Aging. She was a member of the steering committee for the Evening Newcomers Club, was President of the Pre School Group, was active in the P.T.A., was President of the steering committee for Cedar Hill Elementary School P.T.O., and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Dreams to Reality, among other charitable organizations. She was an active member of Central United Church of Christ since 1953, where she served on the Board of Elders, as Church School Superintendent, as a longtime member of the Eleventh Circle, and as a member of the Women's Fellowship. She served on the Commission on Administration of the Missouri Conference of the United Church of Christ. She was an active member of Church Women United, and served as its Treasurer. Her second marriage was to Jerrold Loren Stuart in 1987, and he preceded her in death on October 11, 1991. Her survivors include two daughters: Susan Ella Even and her husband Steven Zweig of Columbia, Sara Jane Even Wilson and her husband Robert E. Wilson of Houston, Texas; one son: Paul Nicholas Even of Dallas, Texas; one sister: Frances Turner of Rocheport, and four grandchildren: Ben and Alex Zweig, and Maggie and Charlotte Wilson. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Central United Church of Christ with Rev. Coletta Eichenberger and Dr. Stephen Buchholz officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Central United Church of Christ's Choir, Memorial or Cemetery Funds, or the Paul Even and Bea Even Stuart Family Scholarship Fund at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com