With sadness we announce the passing of Mary Beamer, the first Black female Department Commander in Virginia (2006-2007). She established the first Women Veterans Committee in the DAV Department of Virginia and was a fierce advocate for all disabled veterans. R.I.P., Commander Beamer. Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and advocacy! Mary Beamer, 85, of Newport News, VA, died August 21,2021. Public viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Perry Spencer Funeral Home, Madison, NC. A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday September3,2021 at Collins Cemetery, Madison, NC.

Mary Helen Beamer, affectionately known as "Teenie", was born on November 27, 1935 in Madison, North Caroloina to the late Ben and Elizabeth Watts Collins. On Saturday morning, August 21, 2021, she departed this life in the Intensive Care Unit of W. G. (Bill) Hefner, VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC. Despite COVID, she was surrounded by family, as she left this earthly life peacefully. Mary graduated from Charles Drew High School in Madison, NC and enlisted into the United States Army on May 24, 1954. While in the military she attended 94-C School of Nursing receiving an Associate of Science Degree as a Licensed Vocational Nurse from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Mary served both abroad and in the U. S. as a medic, caring for injured soldiers. After 20 years of service in the Army, she honorable discharge. Mary was married to the late Ronald W. Beamer. Ron received an honorable discharge from the military after 20 years of service. He retired as a helicopter mechanic and taught mechanical classes at Fort Eustis after two tours of duty. After retirement, the couple made Newport News, Virginia their home. However, Mary's desire to care for the ill and injured did not end in retirement. She then continued her education to become a LPN. She later joined and became a very active and dedicated member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) working tirelessly in several roles at her local DAV Chapter #2 in Newport News. She reached the rank of Commander of the chapter; however, she did not stop there. Her tenacity to serve continued to the stare level where she became the first woman to hold the Department of Virginia title as State Commander of Disabled American Veterans Organization. She also served as a representative of DAV Chapter #2 as a member of the VAVS volunteer program at the Hampton, VA Medical Center. She was instrumental in supporting the opening of the Women's Clinic and initiating mammograms being offered to female veterans. Whenever the call came for Mary to support all veterans, especially female veterans, she showed up and did "Good Work". Mary was a strong, passionate woman and had no problem speaking on issues that she believed in, always including her commands. She lived by the slogan of "never leaving a soldier behind". After her health declined, she spent several years in North Carolina with her cousin before entering W. G. Hefner VA Medical Center, where Mary continued to make history; being the first female assigned to the dementia center. During her stay, Mrs. Beamer, as she was called, enjoyed music, church services, going to the movies, fishing and visits from "Chester" the service dog. She often spoke of her other cousins, especially, the renowned artist, the late Dr. John Biggers and his wife, Hazel. During her last few active years, Mary joined New Beach Grove Baptist Church, Newport News, Virginia. He smile, sassy but classy attitude, hugs, encouraging words and kind nature will be missed.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her close family members, Linda Collins of Greensboro, NC and John Collins (Cheltez) of Eden, NC as well as a family of cousins, friends and DAV Chapter #2 members who will miss her dearly.