Paul Beckham

Paul Beckham {Beck-Ham} was born on September 29, 1948 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Stephen Beckham and Estella (Hollis) Beckham, English.
The family lived on Schumard Avenue in Lincoln Heights. The entire family joined Byrd Street Baptist church, where his father Stephen became an associate minister At Lincoln Heights Baptist.
In 1951 tragedy hit Paul’s home as he lost his father. Stephen Beckham was killed during a fire at work, Paul was only three years old at the time. It was this lost, the spiritual guide to the family, that became the one pivotal event that changed the course of Paul’s life.
Paul confessed hope in Christ and was baptized at an early age by Pastor Wess. During Paul’s youthful years at Lincoln Heights Baptist, Paul enjoyed singing in the choir. He often bragged about singing alongside Charles Folds and the many choirs Charles had formed.
Paul was a well-dressed African American man and a candid talker who knew no strangers. He was also known for his battle with drug addiction over many years. But Paul never gave up hope and in the past ten years Paul experienced freedom. He moved to Alabama and lived with his brother Eugene. There Paul joined Little Elk M.B. Church where his brother pastored. At Little Elk Church Paul served as usher, choir member, greeter, and main talker of the church. The church members loved him dearly. Longing to be with his extended family, childhood sweetheart, daughter, grandson, beloved friend George Jones (Pee Wee), and friends of Lincoln Heights, so Paul returned to Cincinnati where he rejoined Lincoln Height Baptist Church. While his health still failing off and on, Paul nonetheless sought worship each Sunday morning and even attempting to sing again in the choir. Paul also lived a very complicated life, but all who knew Paul and spent time with him knew he was charismatic and the life of the party for he always kept you laughing!
Paul leaves to cherish his memory: Childhood sweetheart, Carolyn Phillips, daughter Anita Ferguson ( Marc), Grandson Marc Ferguson II, four sisters, Willa Murriel Walker of Miami Florida, Diana Watts (Larry), Sharon Stephens, of Cincinnati, and Kathy English of San Diego California, one brother Eugene C. English (Kathy) of Athens, Alabama. And a beloved friend George Jones of Cincinnati, a host of nieces and nephews.