OBITUARY

Michael E. Beasley, 76, of Monticello, Mississippi passed away Saturday, August 23, 2025, in Pulaski County, Illinois while he was doing what he what he loved to do. He was born on Friday, July 22, 1949, in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Arm Baptist Church at 2151 MS Hwy 43, Silver Creek, Mississippi with funeral services to follow beginning at 4:00 PM. Full military honors will be presented during his burial at Arm Baptist Church Cemetery in Silver Creek, Mississippi. Bro. Eddie Dempsey will officiate services. Wilson Funeral Home is overseeing arrangements, 601-587-2573.

Michael was born July 22, 1949, to John Robert and Donice Letchworth Beasley in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He grew up in Monticello and graduated from Monticello High School in 1968. After high school, Michael attended Copiah Lincoln Community College for two years and received his heavy equipment mechanic certificate. During this time, he met his sweetheart, Margaret Lambert, and fell in love. Upon his college graduation, Michael was then drafted into the United States Army and reported for basic training in Fort Polk, Louisiana on August 25, 1970. Michael came home from basic training and he and Margaret were married at Arm Baptist Church on December 19, 1970. He reported back to Fort Polk two weeks after the wedding and was deployed to Vietnam within six weeks of their wedding. He served the United States Army in Vietnam as a private and was promoted to sergeant specialist four. Michael was injured in combat on June 16, 1971, in Vietnam. He came home to recover from his multiple injuries sustained in combat towards the end of June 1971 after being hospitalized in Germany for several days. Due to the extent of his injuries, he was honorably discharged from the Army in October of 1971. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his acts of bravery and valor in sacrificing his personal safety to provide protective fire and medical attention to his downed comrades. Michael was also awarded the prestigious Purple Heart Medal due to his injuries sustained in combat. In 2002, he was awarded the Exchange Club Wounded In Service Award.

After recovering from his combat injuries, Michael held various jobs around the Monticello area. In October 1972, Michael and Margaret welcomed a cherished daughter, Leigh Ann. At the time, Michael was working local jobs to provide for his growing family. He and Margaret built their home and moved into it in April of 1976 before they welcomed their beloved son, Michael Bradley in December. Michael worked offshore for many years as well as in the Jackson area at various metal fabrication plants.

In November 1999, Michael and Margaret's daughter Leigh Ann was married and her parents made sure she had the wedding of her dreams. They welcomed their first grandchild, a precious grandson named Michael Chazz Neal, in July 2001. Papaw was smitten with Chazz from the beginning. In February 2007, Brad and Stephanie were married. Michael was Brad's best man and stood by his side just as he had all his life. A second grandson was welcomed in December 2007, Jagger Lee Neal, and he was the best surprise Christmas gift Papaw ever received. Michael and Margaret welcomed a third grandson, John Michael Beasley, in September 2008. August 2009 brought the birth of their only granddaughter, Presley Bryn Neal. In March 2010, Jake Bradley Beasley was welcomed into the family. Several years later, Jarrett Raymond Beasley was born in December 2016. The baby of the bunch, Jack William Beasley, was born in June 2018. Michael was truly the best husband, father and grandfather and strived daily to live out his Christian faith to teach his children and grandchildren how to be strong, successful adults. He left them all with a long legacy of faith, hard work and love to learn from.

Throughout his life, Michael enjoyed hunting, fishing, being outdoors and especially enjoyed working on racecars and attending dirt track races with his family and friends. Starting in 2008, he and Brad made an annual tradition of attending an NHRA drag race weekend that they later brought the grandsons in on. The only thing Michael enjoyed more than watching the drag race was choosing what to eat after the final run, in his famous post-race words "that was fun, now where are we gonna go eat?!". During 2015, Michael spent countless hours alongside Brad, Leigh Ann, Margaret and Stephanie to finish building Brad and Stephanie's home. In 2016, Michael began driving for Indiana Transporters hauling campers all over the country. He enjoyed this job so much as it allowed him to work mostly on his own schedule while he was able to see the country that he loved so much and sacrificed so much for.

There are no words to express the void and heartache Michael's family will feel in his absence.

He was preceded in death by his father, John R Beasley; mother, Donice Letchworth Beasley; mother-in-law, Bettie Turnage; brother-in-law, Dennis Daughdrill; sister-in-law, Peggy Ballard.

Survivors include his wife of almost 55 years, Margaret Beasley; son, Brad Beasley (Stephanie); daughter, Leigh Ann Beasley Neal; grandchildren, Chazz Neal, Jagger Neal, Presley Neal, John Michael Beasley, Jake Beasley, Jarrett Beasley and Jack Beasley; brother-in-law, Mike Pritchett; sisters-in-law, Rosie Daughdrill and Sue Pritchett; and a host of family and friends.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.wilsonfuneralhomemonticello.com