The Legacy of Warner K. Beckett Sr.- Honoring the Patriarch of the Beckett Family
- Snow Hill African American Heritage Society
- Feb 18, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 25, 2024
During Black History Month, the African American Heritage Society of Snow Hill and Surrounding Areas will spotlight a segment on Family Roots. The Beckett Family Roots stem from George Becket (a slave) and Mariel who had 2 children named Ike Beckett and John Beckett. John Beckett married Harriett (second wife) and they had 8 children. The sixth child was Isaac Beckett who married Hattie Collins. From their union were 13 children They were Warner Beckett, Sr, Emerson Beckett, Clifton Becket, Milbourn Beckett, Cenith Beckett, Frank Becket, Chester Becket, Preston Becket, Johnny Becket, Earl Becket, Della Becket, Roy Becket, and Catherine Beckett.
We hope you enjoy reading a Tribute to WARNER K. BECKETT, SR. , a patriarch of the Beckett Family:
We are the proud descendants and family of our beloved patriarch, the late Warner K. Beckett, Sr., and the late Helen Hester Beckett, our matriarch. On this day, Sunday, September 29, we are honored to fellowship and rejoice with all of you for the annual Back Home Day of Ebenezer United Methodist Church. Being able to share the incredible life of our loved one, Warner K. Beckett. is a privilege. His life is a life that was filled with humility, integrity, love, and laughter, and today, it is an honor to share those precious memories that should be celebrated and remembered as his legacy.
Warner Beckett, Sr., who we lovingly called Papa was born on August 30, 1901, in Johnson Neck, Maryland. He was the oldest son of the late Isaac and Hattie Collins Beckett and he had twelve siblings who did not just follow him in birth but followed his example with being the oldest. His twelve siblings included nine brothers and three sisters Emerson, Clifton, Milbourn, Cenith, Frank, Chester, Preston, Johnny, Earl, Della, Roy, and Catherine.
The Beckett Family Roots stem from George Becket (a slave) and Mariel who had 2 children
named Ike Beckett and John Beckett. John Beckett married Harriett (second wife) and they had 8 children. The sixth child was Isaac Beckett who married Hattie Collins. From their union were 13 children They were Warner Beckett, Sr, Emerson Beckett, Clifton Becket, Milbourn Beckett, Cenith Beckett, Frank Becket, Chester Becket, Preston Becket, Johnny Becket, Earl Becket, Della Becket, Roy Becket, and Catherine Beckett.
Papa attended the one-room schoolhouse in Johnson Neck, Maryland. The school was one large classroom and consisted of one teacher who taught all subjects to students from the first grade to the seventh grade. Warner was an avid learner and loved to read the few available textbooks. One could say his favorite subject was Arithmetic, better known today as Mathematics because he had a keen interest in money management.
Papa, as we affectionately called him, was a hard-working family man with strong moral principles of determination and integrity. Two of his greatest attributes were humanity and compassion for others. His expressions of empathy and kindness came from his relationship with God and that relationship with God brought him an understanding and love for mankind.
On December 30, 1919, in Snow Hill, Maryland, our grandfather, Warner Beckett was united in holy matrimony to the beautiful Helen Hester Bishop. From this union, they were blessed with twelve wonderful children, six sons, Raymond, Warner, Wallace, William, Isaac, and Thomas, and six daughters, Virginia, Mary, Carrie, Loretta, Helen, and Queen. Five courageous sons were in the United States Armed Forces serving in the Air Force and the Army. Thank you, Beckett brothers, for your honorable service to our country.
As a young man during the early years of his marriage, he relocated to Chester, Pennsylvania in hopes of finding work with better wages for his family. Papa worked during the weekdays and on weekends, he traveled back home to be with his devoted wife and now, mother of his young son. Being a committed, young husband and father to his increasingly growing family, Papa knew he needed to find work closer to home to be with them. He recognized that providing for his family was not just monetarily but quality and quantity time in raising his children was equally important as well. Therefore, after working two years in Chester, the Lord blessed him to find work closer to his family and home with the Maryland State Road Commission, Worcester County Division. Even though his new job paid well, it was not enough for his family that was growing yearly or every other year with a wonderful, new addition to the Beckett family tree.
Warner became the first African American to be employed with the Maryland State Road Commission, and he was a diligent, loyal employee who served on his job for thirty-three years. He retired in December 1963 and was recognized for his years of service and his accomplishments.
Warner loved the town of Snow Hill and the town of Snow Hill loved him. He was a treasure box filled with respectable love, gentle laughter, a giving heart, and godly wisdom. His deeds were many, and his acts of kindness were endless.
Papa made himself available to everyone! He always gave words of encouragement to his children, his family, his church, his neighbors, or just anyone who needed uplifting. There were many times when strangers knocked at his door looking for a place to stay, or a hot meal, and sometimes, just a warm smile and a caring prayer. Papa humbly opened his door and these people became his guests because he was always available and willing to help. He did not know any strangers and he lived the song "If I could help somebody as I travel along...then my living will not be in vain."
Because of Papa's Christian values and a strong sense of determination, he decided to start a small wood-hauling business to supplement his income. After leaving his regular job, he would drive his small pick-up truck to Paul Jones Sawmill/Lumber Yard to purchase his wood.
Papa sold full loads or wheel barrel loads to his customers and people in the community to heat their homes. There were many cold nights when you could find him hauling a load of wood to a home without heat. Because of his compassion for people, the Lord blessed the business and it grew rapidly. He never denied anyone who needed a load of wood and his customers remembered his kindness and faithfulness towards them. In turn, they were very loyal in meeting their obligation to pay him for the wood. Papa was a conscientious businessman and he always kept accurate records of his business in a little black book. Ultimately, the business grew and Papa stepped out on faith and purchased a big Military Army truck to meet the demands of the growing business in the community. Papa's work ethic was instilled in his children at an early age and the older children helped with the business after school and weekends.
Warner's strong Christian conviction was very important in his family life. He focused on the beauty of Christianity, which never ceased and was a strong, significant aspect of his life. He and his family became active members of Ebenezer Methodist Church in the 1920s. He served as President of the Trustee Board, along with the late Mr. Les Lampson and Mr. Edward Deshields, Sr. Working together, as members of the Trustee Board, these devoted men were responsible for all major projects in the church.
For many years, Trustee Warner was responsible for coordinating the annual Beckett Day. On this joyful day, as Ebenezer worshipped and served the Lord with gladness, the congregation and the Beckett families from Frankfort, Delaware and Chance, Maryland came together, and Beckett day was very successful! There was no mistaking Trustee Warner as a prayer warrior on the front line in his church, but you also knew he was a prayer warrior in his home and community as well. When he went to church, his wife and children also attended as a family. He lived the scripture, Joshua 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Today we pay tribute to our beloved Warner K. Beckett, and we say, "Rest On Papa, you have received your reward!" We are honored to be the branches, the limbs, and the twigs of the Beckett Family Tree, and your history, your legacy lives on in each one of us. Ebenezer, thank you for today. For today, we have shared his...story, and as we look towards the sky, we trust that Papa is one of those stars, those shining lights leading and guiding us as we live out our lives with dignity, courage, and love just as he taught us to do. Papa, we pray we have made you proud!
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