Beverly June Belt Ward

Beverly June Reeves Belt Ward was born September 22, 1937 at the family home on a 5-acre farm just north of Homewood, Kansas to Ethel Edna (Brown) and Edgar Reeves.

The story of her birth was best told by her sister, Doris. When the doctor making the house call arrived, Doris (9 years old) and Acie (4 years old) were sent to the car to wait for the birth. Watching the doctor arrive and enter the house, Doris wisely explained to Acie “Our new baby is in that black bag the doctor was carrying!” That baby was named Beverly June.

Beverly attended Mud Creek Elementary School and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1955. She was a lifelong homemaker. She met Henley Belt at the Ottawa Roller Rink. They were married December 16, 1956 and moved to the Henley’s family farm in Osawatomie, Kansas. Henley and Beverly were blessed with three boys, Rex, Ray and Ron. Henley worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and studied at the Cleveland Chiropractic College. They lived in Kansas City for a short time as Henley started college while maintaining a full-time railroad job. City life didn’t agree with either of them, so they moved back to the farm. Tragically, on July 3, 1967, Henley was fatally injured in a one-car accident. Beverly, being fiercely independent, turned away family offers of help in raising the children. She remained on the farm, believing that environment would help her keep the three boys busy raising animals, farming, gardening and away from unhealthy influences as a result of a more idle city life.

Beverly and Keith Ward were introduced by neighbor Charlie Barker. On February 13, 1979, Beverly and Keith were married in Miami, OK. They enjoyed trips to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, once touring the backroads in Keith’s green 1965 Triumph Spitfire Convertible. They had a full life, as they remodeled and expanded the farmhouse, acted as general contractors for many private remodeling projects, gardened, cherished family visits and raised Salers cattle.

Favorite early memories from her sons include summer days with wicker picnic baskets packed with hot dogs and marshmallows for roasting over a bonfire their father had stacked from trees cut for fence posts and cleared brush. The family enjoyed many animals (dogs, cats, goats, and a rescued pet squirrel), birdwatching, and farm life. She took pride in her son’s friends who continued to remember her cooking, influence in their lives and how welcome they always felt in her home. Holidays surrounded by family were especially treasured, as were Ray’s shrimp dinners.

When asked what her favorite life-memories were, Beverly said it was early years spent on the five-acre farm where she was born and playing in that sandy front yard, but most of all, raising her sons on the farm and enjoying their families as they grew. She described herself as a child who was a little shy, preferring to be alone.

In the last 10 years, Beverly suffered from painful and debilitating scoliosis, arthritis and cancer. As a beautiful redhead with green eyes and pale creamy skin, she suffered from multiple skin carcinomas, some of which migrated to her lungs. Through it all, she was adamant about staying in the farm home. With her strong determination and the support and care of Keith, her three sons, their spouses, neighbors and hospice caregivers, she was able to have her wish. Beverly passed away, peacefully, in her sunny farm-house living room overlooking a Rose of Sharon bush filled with birdlife, her garden spot and fields on April 5, 2024.

Survivors include Keith Ward of the home; Sons Rex (Linda) Belt; Ray (Leslie) Belt; Ron (Vicki) Belt; Step-sons Steve (Laura) Ward; Russel Ward; Step-daughters Sharon (Paul) Winfrey; Cynthia (George) Staten; 12 Grandchildren;26 Great Grandchildren; and pet dog Duke.

Beverly’s Memorial will take place April 15 at 4pm at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 305 N Pearl Street, Paola, KS followed with a brief internment at the Osawatomie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Crossroads Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary (address above).

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