Dorothy "Dot" M. Beckham

A visitation for Dorothy “Dot” M. Beckham, 85, will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana. A graveside service will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery in Shreveport, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Gerald Huddleston.

Dot was born on January 13, 1941, in Refugio, Texas, to Exa Charm McDougald and Connie “Pat” Wells Murphy and joined her husband, Papa Don, in heaven on February 10, 2026, in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Dot was a proud graduate of Haughton High School, class of ’59, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Don Beckham. The two married young, building a partnership rooted in friendship, loyalty, and a kind of love that only grew stronger with time.

After high school, Dot continued her education at Ayers School of Business and began a long, dedicated career in public service. She worked for the City of Bossier beginning in 1967, later serving as Secretary to the Commissioner of Streets from 1973 to 1977, Secretary to Mayor Martin Anding from 1977 to 1981, and Secretary to Ken Hanna in 1982. She then worked with Jim Ross at Viscount Securities from 1982 to 1984 before returning to serve the City of Bossier as Secretary to Mayor Don E. Jones from 1984 to 1989. Dot completed her professional journey as Secretary to Mark Hudson in the Bossier City Engineering Department, faithfully serving from 1989 until her retirement in 2005.

When she retired, Dot stepped into the role she cherished most — being the full‑time assistant, partner, and best friend to her beloved Papa Don. Their bond was unmistakable; they were inseparable, always choosing each other, always laughing together, always showing what true devotion looked like. Together, they built a big, loving family that meant everything to them. Dot adored her children and grandchildren, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them.

She was active in her community through the Lions Club, the Red Hatters Society, and her longtime Pokeno groups. She enjoyed staying connected on Facebook and loved playing bingo at Brookdale Senior Living. Dot lived a life filled with love, service, and joy, and her legacy will live on in the family she cherished and the countless lives she touched.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Donald Beckham; and her sisters, Jane Keen and Sue Arnold. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Donna Kelsh and husband, David, and Douglas Beckham and wife, Alicia; grandchildren, Matthew Moreland, Tyler Moreland, Amber Kailas and husband, Naveen, Cameron Beckham and wife, Elizabeth, and Jacob Beckham and wife, Gabby; six great‑grandchildren, Murphie, Liam, Abigail, Kamran, Cooper, and Caroline; and six step‑great‑grandchildren, Kason, Jaxon, Levi, Luke, Elaine, and Leah. She is also survived by her step‑grandchildren, Zac Kelsh and wife, Courtney, Lacee Brooks, Kent Skinner, Kaitlyn Skinner, and Jade Brown and husband, Ross; nephews, Steve Arnold and wife, Janie, Gary Keen and David Keen; and niece, Sandy Utley and husband, Kelly.

Honoring Dot as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Matthew Moreland, Tyler Moreland, Cameron Beckham, Jacob Beckham, Zac Kelsh, and Naveen Kailas.

The family would like to express special thanks to Brookdale Senior Living Solutions for making her feel safe and welcome this past year.