(From White Funeral Home)Mary Beck, 96, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on October 12, 1928, in Cassville, Missouri, to Otto and Gladys (Barr) Thomas. On December 1, 1949, Mary married the love of her life, Bill Beck, in Bentonville, Arkansas. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and devotion to family.
A talented dancer and dedicated teacher, Mary owned and operated dance studios in Monett and Neosho, where she taught from 1957 until 2020. Over the course of her remarkable career, she shared her love of dance with thousands of children, inspiring confidence, creativity, and joy in every student who had the privilege to learn from her.
Family meant the world to Mary, and her grandchildren truly “hung the moon.” She cherished every moment spent with them and especially loved hosting Christmas Eve at “Nan and Papa’s,” a beloved family tradition filled with warmth and love. Mary had a deep appreciation for jazz music and a lifelong affection for dogs, especially her beloved companion, Carde.
Mary was also a member of the First Christian Church in Cassville, where her faith and kindness shone through in all she did. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, unwavering love for her family, and the grace and joy she brought to everyone who knew her.
Mary is survived by her son, Greg Beck and his wife Brenda of Cassville, Missouri; two grandsons, Justin Beck and his wife Gwen of Hemet, California, and Josh Beck and his wife Stefanie of Pleasant Hope, Missouri; two stepsons, Bucky Edie of Carthage, Missouri, and Andy Edie of Nashville, Tennessee; thirteen grandchildren: Brayden, Daxton, Charlotte, Elin, Sterling, Maeve, Blair, Pierce, Mason, Raegan, Tristan, Caiden, and Ashton; as well as two nephews, Bob Shore and his wife Marilyn of Camdenton, Missouri, and Mike Shore and his wife Helen of Houston, Texas; two great nephews, Chris Shore and his wife Amy of Houston, Texas, and Jeff and his wife Stacey of Camdenton, Missouri; one great niece Jenny Shore of Camdenton, Missouri; three great great nephews Evan Shore of Houston, Texas, Bo Shore of Camdenton, Missouri, and Bear Shore of Camdenton, Missouri; two great great nieces, Marybeth Shore of Houston, Texas, and Sophie Shore of Camdenton, Missouri.
Family meant the world to Mary, and her grandchildren truly “hung the moon.” She cherished every moment spent with them and especially loved hosting Christmas Eve at “Nan and Papa’s,” a beloved family tradition filled with warmth and love. Mary had a deep appreciation for jazz music and a lifelong affection for dogs, especially her beloved companion, Carde.
Mary was also a member of the First Christian Church in Cassville, where her faith and kindness shone through in all she did. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, unwavering love for her family, and the grace and joy she brought to everyone who knew her.
Mary is survived by her son, Greg Beck and his wife Brenda of Cassville, Missouri; two grandsons, Justin Beck and his wife Gwen of Hemet, California, and Josh Beck and his wife Stefanie of Pleasant Hope, Missouri; two stepsons, Bucky Edie of Carthage, Missouri, and Andy Edie of Nashville, Tennessee; thirteen grandchildren: Brayden, Daxton, Charlotte, Elin, Sterling, Maeve, Blair, Pierce, Mason, Raegan, Tristan, Caiden, and Ashton; as well as two nephews, Bob Shore and his wife Marilyn of Camdenton, Missouri, and Mike Shore and his wife Helen of Houston, Texas; two great nephews, Chris Shore and his wife Amy of Houston, Texas, and Jeff and his wife Stacey of Camdenton, Missouri; one great niece Jenny Shore of Camdenton, Missouri; three great great nephews Evan Shore of Houston, Texas, Bo Shore of Camdenton, Missouri, and Bear Shore of Camdenton, Missouri; two great great nieces, Marybeth Shore of Houston, Texas, and Sophie Shore of Camdenton, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Gladys, and her sister, Dorothy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Haven of the Ozarks and entrusted to White Funeral Home and Crematory.
A Celebration of Life will be held November 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Cassville, Missouri.
Cremation arrangements are under the care of White Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville, Missouri.
I have thought about Mary Beck and wondered if she was still DANCING. My daughter, Christiane Cook took dance lessons from Mary in the mid 70’s in Neosho. What an amazing lady to be able to teach dance for so many years. Prayers for her family. What a great legacy.
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