Grayson County TXGenWeb
 
Marie Elizabeth Hancock Beckham
1909 - 1996

Marie Elizabeth Hancock Beckham was born in Denison, Texas on November 19, 1909. She married Vernon Finis Beckham October 30, 1937. They had met while both were students at Denison's Draughon Business College.
Marie worked as the secretary for C. J. Corcoran Insurance & Real Estate Agency in Denison.  After marriage she was a homemaker and mother of a daughter. She assisted her husband in furthering his education and reaching further goals in life.
They built a new home at 1125 West Hull Street, living there for nine years. They entered the apartment house rental business located at 504 West Owings Street. This business lasted eighteen years. Disposing of the apartment house, they devoted their time to Vernon's general insurance business. He also entered the political life from 1962 through 1972. He
ran for State Representative from Grayson County.

Marie was a loyal helpmate. She helped campaign, acted as hostess, and journeyed to Austin. She joined in with all social functions with the legislators' wives, government officials, and constituents from back home who came to Austin on official business.
Her many accomplishments include:
being instrumental in securing $600,000 appropriations to improve Eisenhower State Park
to pilot the approval of the State Board of Education in Austin, granting authority to Grayson County citizens to hold an election for a Junior College and to vote bonds for construction
approval through legislation for a Sub-County Office Building
replacement and transfer of Grayson County from the Wichita Falls storm zone back into the Dallas - Fort Worth area, to reduce windstorm and hail insurance premiums
a Campfire leader and a history buff



Excerpted from an article written by Marie Beckham for the History of Grayson County, Vol.2

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