Darinda “Dee” Beckham, 78, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 12:15 a.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Mt. Vernon Healthcare in Mt. Vernon.
She was born January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Cloyd and Belva (Payne) Bolerjack. She married Jim Phelps of Dix, and they later divorced. She then married Jody Beckham of Mt. Vernon, and they divorced.
Darinda was a graduate of Mt. Vernon Township High School, and worked at World Color Press for several years. She was of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by two children, Terry Phelps of Dix, and Rhonda Phelps Crawford and husband Danny of Dix; six grandchildren, Tyler Crawford of Sesser, Makayla Crawford and fiancée Tanner Murray of Centralia, Kylar Phelps and wife Reanna of Dix, Shelby Phelps of Mt. Vernon, and Blake Phelps; thirteen great-grandchildren, Rhonin and Ivar Wilson, Reid Hurst, Valkyrie and Vasarhys Crawford, Weston Murray, Rynlee and Wyatt Phelps, Madison and Ryleigh Marlow, Kyson, Kayden, and Demi Phelps, and baby McKinney, due in March; brother, Donnie Morris of St. Louis; sisters, Candy and Debbie Morris, both of California, and Darlia Jensen of Mt. Vernon; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, James Kevin Phelps; one sister, Cindi Morris; her former husbands, Jim Phelps and Jody Beckham; and a very special friend, Billy Hails.
Cremation rites for Mrs. Beckham have been accorded, and burial will follow at a later date, at Boyd Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Osborn Funeral Home, to assist with funeral expenses, and will be received by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
