Margaret "Honey" Beavers

Margaret Beavers, 97, died in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Margaret Ethel Maxwell was born January 1, 1926, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Reverend Artice and Margaret (Bannon) Maxwell. Named after her mother, she was affectionately known as “Honey.” After graduating from Marshalltown High School in 1943, she enrolled at AIB College of Business in Des Moines where she took typing and stenography classes. As an African American, she had difficulty finding employment in Iowa because of racism.

Upon completion of the program, she went to Dayton, Ohio near the end of World War II. Beginning in 1944, Margaret worked on eliminating government contracts at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, a job she held for 15 years. When the space program was beginning in El Segundo, she transferred to California and worked 24 years for the Air Force as a secretary in the procurement office, which purchased components for the missile program.

She retired in 1986 at the age of 59 with 39 years of government service. She received multiple commendations during her time with the Air Force. Margaret enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States and abroad. She loved playing piano and was an avid golfer who hit a hole-in-one.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Leroy Beavers; two brothers, Robert and Ralph Maxwell and two sisters, Harriet Johnson and Shirley J. Cox. She is survived by her brother, Roger (Arenda “Bunny”) Maxwell of Windsor Heights, Iowa, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Surviving family members are indebted to Delores Simmons and Sharon Thomas Burrell for the care they provided over several years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family. For online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com.

- Lovingly written by the family