Beverly Brown

Beverly Brown, a great woman born in Spokane, Wash., has left her legacy behind.

Beverly, also known as Babe, mom, gma, granny, oldbat, squatty body and many more nicknames,  was known by many people from her years as a bartender at the Palace Bar in Spokane, the Frontier Bar in Rexford, and when working at Owens and Hurst Mill in Eureka, as well as being an in-home caregiver through Addus Health Care in Spokane for several years.

She was able to stubbornly push her way through many hardships during her life and helped others rise above their difficulties. She went as far as taking in children that had family issues in the 1990s and helping them finish school while providing a comfortable place for them to live. Christopher Miller, Aaron Smith, Shilo Ingram are just a few of those that have been helped by Babe, and they still call her granny to this day.

Babe never wanted anyone to mourn her passing, even though she knew that some would, but instead she wanted everyone to celebrate her life. She felt that death is just another step in the journey and should not be feared, even though it means leaving loved ones behind. She was only concerned about the well-being  of loved ones after she was gone.

A celebration of her life was held Friday May 24, at her home in Spokane.

After a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, she passed very quietly without pain.

I had a lot of family with me to let her know it was OK to leave us. She is with her children; Chuck III, Jean, and  Richard; her parents, Ira J. McCauley and Florence O. Washburn; sister Florence, who all preceded her in death.

Rest in peace. Love you, Mom. I know she is watching over all of us. She left a daughter, Barbara Barker, Spokane; son Chuck Barker IV of Eureka; many foster, honorary children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; ex-husband Skip Whetzel; two brothers: Stanley McCauley of Idaho and Ira McCauley of Washington; three sisters: Lois Fawcett of Washington; Irene Faust of Michigan; Shirley Chappell of Washington; brother in-law Max Chappell;  many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

To those she has left behind, know that she is watching over you every day and that she loves you very much.  Online guestbook at http://www.riplingers.com.