Linda W. Beazley

Mrs. Linda W. Beazley

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Monday, September 12, 2011, Mrs. Linda W. Beazley, 71, wife of the late Laird O’Neal “Hunter” Beazley.

Mrs. Beazley was a native and lifelong resident of Augusta. She graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in 1957. She loved athletics and playing basketball. In 1957 she received Most Outstanding player award and the Sportsmanship award. A quote from her year book “Let her be always as radiant to see, as beautiful and blithe and gay, as perfect as she is today.” She served as the ARC 50th Class Reunion Committee Chairperson. She married Laird O. “Hunter” Beazley in 1957. Mrs. Beazley was a member of First Baptist Church of Augusta and a former member of Burns Memorial United Methodist Church and Southside Baptist Church. She had perfect pitch, could play the piano by ear, and sang in the choir at Burns Memorial and Southside Baptist. She served as the Chaplain of the Spade and Trowel Garden Club.

While a teenager, Linda worked in her father’s grocery store, when James Plunkett, then Sheriff, saw her and offered her a job in the Courthouse. Linda accepted and began working for Richmond County in 1957 in the Sheriff’s Department and was soon transferred to Probate Court where she first came into contact with the Election Administration. Linda worked in the Probate Court until her appointment as Executive Director in the newly created Board of Elections Office in 1973. She served as Executive Director of the Board of Elections from 1973 until 1993 at which time she was appointed County Administrator for Richmond County. She served as County Administrator until consolidation in 1996, where she continued to serve as the Administrator along with Charles Dillard until December 1996, at which time she was appointed by the Secretary of State, Lewis Massey, as Georgia’s State Election Director. Mrs. Beazley served as the State Elections Director from 1997 until her retirement in 2005. She was appointed as Chair of the Richmond County Board of Elections in 2005 until her resignation in 2011. Mrs. Beazley worked in elections administration for 48 years and helped to administer 13 Presidential Elections. She was the first female administrator for Richmond County.

Mrs. Beazley was the founding President of the Georgia Elections Officials Association in 1985, the State’s first recipient of the Frances Duncan Award for excellence in elections administration in January 1988, and the first female to chair University Hospital’s Hospital Authority Board when appointed in 1992. She testified before the United States Congress regarding handicap accessibility at polling places in 1987 and was appointed to and served as one of 20 people nationwide on the Federal Elections Commission’s Advisory Board. She was recognized by the Augusta Bar Association and presented the Liberty Bell Award in 1993.

Georgia House Resolution 101 was adopted on January 31, 2005, commending Linda for her leadership, her service as clerk in Richmond County Probate Court, service as Executive Director for the Richmond County Board of Elections, service as County Administrator for Richmond County, and service as Director of the Elections Division of the Secretary of State. There was also a Resolution recognizing Linda for her faithful service in the Elections Division of the Secretary of State from February 16, 1997 until January 5, 2005 for two Secretaries of State, Lewis Massey and Cathy Cox.

Family members include sons: Charles H. Beazley and wife Darlene, Wayne A. Beazley and wife Debra; daughters: Melinda B. Pearson and husband Tim, Alayne I. Beazley; grandchildren: Charles (Chase) H. Beazley, Jr., Victoria (Tori) E. Beazley, Lindsey A. Beazley, Mark W. (Wes) Hopkins, Lauren C. Hopkins, William (Wade) W. Hopkins; great grandchild, Jackson O. Beazley; brothers: Ken Williams and wife Ann, Tommy Williams and wife Janice; sisters: Leslie Peevler and husband Dean, Emily Strozier and husband Bobby; sister-in-law, Lillie Beazley O’Tyson and husband Jack; and a host of nieces and nephews.



Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Augusta with Dr. Rodger Murchison officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Charles B. Webster, James B. Wall, Jack E. O’Tyson, Jr., Charles H. Beazley, Jr., Mark W. Hopkins, and Brian A. Fox. Honorary pallbearers will be the Grace Sunday School Class and the Lucy Wright Parker Circle of First Baptist of Augusta, the Latane Kirkley Circle of Burns Memorial UMC, the Board of Election members and staff, past and present and the Spade and Trowel Garden Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30909, or to the charity of one’s choice.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com