Jean Elaine Beach's Obituary
Jean Elaine Beach was born Jean Elaine Lively on June 30,1948 at the now historic Mary Lawson Hospital in Palatka, Florida (established 1918 and closed 1958) to parents: James Saunders Lively and Mary Sedalia Lively (Merriman) of Hawthorne, Florida. Jean passed from this earth on February 12, 2026 in Gainesville, Florida after a long illness. She was the youngest daughter in 4 siblings, Mary Jane, Judy, and Jim.
She is survived by her husband, Max Louis Beach, of Gainesville, Florida; a sister, Mary Jane Fletcher, of Gainesville, Florida a son, David O. Beach of Ft. Worth, Texas; a granddaughter, Jaelyn Alysa Beach, of Keystone Heights, Florida; and a daughter-in-law, Carolene Fisher, of Keystone Heights, Florida.
She graduated from High School at Melrose High School in 1966. Jean attended Florida College, Temple Terrace, Florida, 1966-1967. She was married to Max Louis Beach on August 26,1967 and subsequently moved to Japan with Max serving in the US Army. Max and Jean had 3 adopted children: Warren Mitchell Beach (deceased), Theda Sue Beach (deceased), and David O. Beach.
Max and Jean moved to Hawthorne, Florida in 1975. Later, in 1981 she resumed her education and subsequently graduated in 1985 from the University of Florida with B.A.Ed. and in 1986 with M.Ed., specializing in ESE, Magna Cum Laude. She was designated a SOTA. (Student Over Traditional Age). Jean then taught school in Putnam County, Florida for ten years, after which she taught at Sylvan Learning Center in Gainesville, Florida for nine years.
A severe illness of 2005 curtailed her teaching for two years after which she established two tutorial businesses, Performance Education Network, LLC and Simply Learning. Her health began to fail again in 2014, and the businesses were closed.
Jean was a faithful member of Melrose Church of Christ, Melrose, Florida all her life. Max and Jean sold their property and moved to Gainesville, FL in 2024 for health reasons. Despite ongoing health issues. Jean continued in her life to be an influence for good in her community and was loved by all family and friends.
As her surviving husband, I am and will be forever indebted to her for all the sacrifices she made for her family; and, for the endless love she had for us all. “May the grace of God be with her forevermore.”
A celebration of life service will be announced sometime in the future.
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