Grace Beat

Grace Hayes Lowry Beat was born on October 5, 1924 and entered into her heavenly home on December 14, 2023 at the age of 99. Grace was married to Leon Lowry in 1941 and had two children from this marriage, Sharron and Terry. After Leon's passing in 1954, she married Gerald Beat in 1956 and from this marriage had three children, Kathy, Jeri and Tom.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Newell and Grace Hayes, her husbands, Leon Lowry and Gerald Beat, and a great-great granddaughter, Lilly Anne LaMunyon. She is survived by her five children, Sharron LaMunyon (Richard), Terry Lowry (Paula), Kathy Beat (Debbie), Jeri Jordan (Howard) and Tom Beat. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Grace grew up in Eureka, KS moving to Wichita at the age of nine. As did many in her era, her family struggled financially. She was always aware of the value of a dollar and for much of her life lived with meager means. Grace was a compassionate person, and always looked out for the less fortunate. She dreamed of using her compassionate nature by becoming a nurse, however the demands of motherhood took over and she never pursued that dream.

Grace was a home maker and loved raising her children. When other moms were thrilled the kids were going back to school in the fall, Grace was always sad. After the kids were all in school, Grace conducted market research for Wichita Market Research and for Dillons. She was active at Central Community Church, where she enjoyed helping in the library and in the Women's Ministry Program. She always found younger women at church to "adopt" as her daughters. She said most of the women her age were too old to do the things she liked to do. Therefore, she enjoyed her younger friends. She was a volunteer with the blood screening days for Via Christi and was a huge proponent of this program. She liked to sew and garden and enjoyed trips to Botanica. Grace also loved to shop for pretty clothes and unique jewelry, both old and new.

Grace loved to travel and had the opportunity to go to Hawaii several times, the last time a gift for her 90th birthday. She loved her several trips to Europe. She went on bus tours with Southwestern College and thoroughly enjoyed seeing new things and making new friends on these trips. Grace also delighted in music, especially songs from the Roaring 20's and Big Band tunes. As with many from her generation, she would dance anytime she got the chance.

Most of all, she really adored her family. We will miss her greatly and have marveled through the years at her tenacity and strength, which is why we dubbed her "Amazing Grace". We honor her and celebrate all that she was to so many people.

There will be a private family burial.

A memorial has been established with the Wichita Public Library Foundation and American Diabetes Association.