Lewis Taylor Beckum

AIKEN, SC – LEWIS TAYLOR “SONNY” BECKUM, 90, passed away Monday, May 17, 2021 at his residence.

     The youngest of five children and the only boy, “Sonny” was born and raised in Blythe, GA, the son of the late John Lewis (JL) and Mamie Taylor Beckum. Sonny spent an idyllic boyhood playing in the fields, swimming, and fishing with his father. After moving to Augusta, he attended The Academy of Richmond County and went on to graduate from the University of Georgia with a degree in Geography. He joined the Army in the early 1950s and was stationed in San Francisco and Germany where he served as a cartographer and draftsman. It was during his time in Europe that he met his wife, “Ronnie”, on a beach in Alassio, Italy. They were married in Augusta, GA in 1956.

     Sonny was a talented City Planner and cartographer working for Sydney Carter Planning Consultants and James G. Swift and Associates in Augusta before starting his own business, Beckum, McDavid and Williams Planning and Engineering Consultants with friends which saw him to retirement.

     Sonny was a longtime member of Midland Valley Country Club where he enjoyed rounds of golf with his friends and his son, Matthew. He was also a longtime member of Curtis Baptist Church in Augusta and later Hillview Baptist in Graniteville, SC. He also enjoyed competing with his brothers-in-law at the “game of the day”, long road trips and family vacations to the mountains and the beach.

     Sonny is survived by his wife of 65 years, Veronica Ann (Chapman) Beckum and son Matthew James Beckum (Carole) of Aiken and two grandchildren Casey Ann Beckum of Anderson, SC and Adam Lewis Beckum of Greenville, SC. He is also survived by nieces Lynn (John Paul) Jones of Whitesburg, GA and Sharon (Neil) Gordon of Hilton Head Island, SC and nephew Phillip Black of Martinez, GA. He was predeceased by sisters Wilma (James) Bussey, Dorothy (Ben) Burnett, Margaret (Winford) Black and Ruth (William) Peiffer, niece Kay (Travis) Wilbanks and nephew Robert (Bonita) Black.

The family will receive friends Thursday from noon until 1 o’clock at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home.

     A graveside service will follow at 2 o’clock in Westover Memorial Park, Augusta, GA with The Rev. Grayson “Butch” Blackwell officiating.

     In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) .

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC