MURPHYSBORO – Beverly Ann Lee, at the age of 83, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, with her loved ones by her side, on Saturday, June 15,2024.

Beverly was born to James and Roxanna Williamson on August 18, 1940, in East St. Louis, Illinois. She grew and blossomed into a beautiful young woman in the small town of Ava, Illinois, graduating from Trico High School in 1958.

While attending college, Beverly worked at a local diner where she met a man by the name of Bobby Easton. "I'm going to marry you one day," he said, as she served him a Cherry Coke. She laughed, and said, "Well, we'll just see about that!"  His persistence prevailed, and he soon had won her heart. They were married in April of 1959.

Bob took a job at a steel mill in East Chicago, Indiana so they left their hometown of Ava and headed to the big city of Hammond, Indiana. There, they lived, loved, served the Lord, and raised their family together, until his death in 1983.

Shortly after Bob's death an opportunity to buy a Manpower Temporary Services franchise presented itself. Together, with her uncle Leonard "Bud" Johnson, they purchased the franchise and opened its doors in the summer of 1985. For over ten years she owned and operated Manpower with offices in Carbondale, Mt. Vernon and Steeleville, Illinois.

After being a widow for twenty-five years, Beverly met a wonderful man by the name of Billy Lee. And, while they agreed on their first date to take things slow, six weeks later they were engaged - and married within three months. Beverly often said, "He was worth the wait!" In March they celebrated nineteen wonderful years together.

Beverly is survived by her husband Billy Lee, daughters Kimbra Kilpatrick (Roger) and Robin Luehr (Neal), grandsons Joshua Kilpatrick and Zachary Kilpatrick and granddaughter Lindsey Hammonds (Aaron). Beverly got to meet her first great grandson, Anakin Hammonds, just months before her passing.

Beverly was also blessed with three stepchildren, Paula Wilkens, Michael (Vickie) Lee, and Kimberly (Jeff) Squires, ten step-grandchildren and seventeen step-great grandchildren.

Beverly loved Jesus and was a wonderful example of Christs' love, giving, donating, and helping others in need. She had a sweet spirit and a kind word for everyone she met. She will be greatly missed, but we know we will see her again.

"Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord."  Matthew 25:21

Funeral services will be on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 10:30 am, at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, IL, with Rev. James Easton officiating. Burial to follow at Ava Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, IL. Visitation will be held at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, IL, where friends may call on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 9:30 till time of service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of Southern Illinois and can mailed in c/o Wilson's Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.