Josephine "Jo" Elizabeth Beckham

Josephine "Jo" Elizabeth Cochran Beckham, 90, died April 1 at her home in La Grande.

A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. Viewings will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.

She was born on November 17, 1918 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri, the only child of Dave and Lorene (Roberts) Cochran. In January 1919 she and her parents moved to La Grande, where her parents owned and operated the Cochran Boarding House. She attended Riveria School and graduated from La Grande High School in 1936.

She married Villard Beckham May 24, 1936. They moved to Rainier, Oregon in 1941 where they lived until the Columbia River flooded in 1948, then they moved to a farm on Mayger Road where they raised mink until 1969. They moved back to La Grande in 1971 and Jo went to work at Grande Ronde Hospital as a ward clerk until she retired in 1986. Her husband died August 4, 1973.

Jo enjoyed embroidery, crocheting, reading and gardening. She was known for having a yard full of beautiful dahlias every summer. She loved to travel and visited friends and family in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Nevada, California, Washington, Montana, Alaska and England. She was happiest when her children and grandchildren were around her.

She is survived by her children: Cole Beckham of Henderson, NV, Patricia Bee of Gladstone, Daryl & Don Wheeler of Portland, Katherine & Neil Lusby of McCleary, WA, David & Dianna Beckham of Rising Fawn, GA, Frances & Dale Miller of Molalla, James & Mercedes Beckham of Henderson, NV, Jean Moss of Beaverton and Denise & Jim Botting of La Gran de; her grandchildren Cole Jr. & Shelly Beckham, Crystal Beckham, Amber & Andy Sayle, Yvonne Miller, Rick & Rose Miller, Cindy Miller, Michael Miller, Jim Tice, Daniels & Tracy Lusby, Debra & Jay6 Osborne, Dennis & Tina Lusby, Cathie Godden, Elizabeth Beckham, Meghan Kiernan, Dylan Beckham, Robert & Heather Miller, Greg & Renee Miller, Ryan & Angie Miller, Rene & Jon Brandon, Justin & Samantha Moss, Karen Moss, Linda & Chad Thompson, and Craig & Lisa Roberts; great-grandchildren Michelle Rivera, Jessica & Mike Henderson, Orson Sayle, Bryan & Ronda Hollingsworth, Joel & Amanda Hollingsworth, Danielle Imper, Kevin Imper, Kyle Imper, Kimberly Miller, Zachary Tice, Dakota Tice, Amber Tice, Kevin Lusby, Alex Skeen, Kia Skeen, Brianna Lusby, Jeremy Osborne, Ethan Godden, Gillian Godden, Chelsea Godden, Rhiannon Hookings, Morgan Hookings, Adam Miller, Nathan Miller, Taryn Miller, Emersyn Miller, Brittnie Phelps, Erica Phelps, Noah Moss, Brandon Roberts and Evan Roberts; great-great-grandchildren Aidan Rivera, Lexy Beckham, Kaylee Hollingsworth, Natalie Hollingsworth, Reese Hollingsworth, and Shayne Hollingsworth; and her friend and caregiver Jody Bullock.

She was preceded in death by her infant son Villard Beckham, Jr., her parents, her husband, sons-in-law Thomas Tice and Adrian Bee, Great-grandson Jason Osborne, and granddaughter-in-law Lesley Lusby.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Heart Association or the charity of choice.

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