Beverly Fitzgerald

Born March 13, 1935, in Hobart, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of the late McClary Odell Little and the late Nellie Ruth Foster Little. Following her father’s death, her family relocated from Tullahoma, Tennessee to Columbia, Tennessee, which she was proud to call home. At Columbia Central High School, where she graduated in 1953, she was both a cheerleader and a basketball player. On August 20, 1960, she married the love of her life, the late William E. “Billy” Fitzgerald. She later graduated with honors from Columbia State Community College in 1979 with an associate’s degree in elementary education. She also attended George Peabody College at Vanderbilt in 1980-81. In her career, she worked at Goodman Insurance Agency, Industrial Contractors, and Columbia Rock Products, as well as Accents and Antiques, where she frequently charmed customers and was able to pursue her hobby of antiquing through her booth there. Her love of cooking was reflected in her frequent catering of weddings and luncheons. Beverly was often involved in her community through the Columbia Jaycette’s, the Maury County Beta Sigma Phi chapter, and by serving as Riverside PTO President. She was also a member of McCain’s Cumberland Presbyterian Church and former elder of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School.

A devoted mother, grandmother and friend, Beverly touched the lives of everyone she encountered, from turning her grandchildren’s dreams into a reality to baking goods for her regular cashiers at her local grocery store. Beverly will be remembered for her devotion, love, faith—and for her skills in the kitchen. She leaves behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten by those lucky enough to know and cherish her.

Survivors include her three children, Gregory Mac Fitzgerald of Kentucky, Suzee Jo Sanders of Columbia, and Bonni Lake (Alan) Smith of Murfreesboro; as well as grandchildren, Margaret Mae Sanders, William Bain Smith, McClary Clark Sanders, Lillian Foster Smith, and Amanda Fitzgerald. She is preceded in death by her husband William E. “Billy” Fitzgerald, her sisters Betty Ruth Vann and Barbara Elizabeth Dismukes, and her son-in-law David Clark Sanders.

The family will visit with friends Saturday, November 11, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. A private family inurnment will be at McCain’s Cemetery on Sunday.

The family suggests memorials to McCain’s Cumberland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 29, Columbia, TN 38401.

The family would like to thank Blythe Mucke for her care and support over the past months.