De Leon Free Press March 27, 1925

Freeman Beaty Downing Citizen Died Monday
The end of a long and useful life came to a good man on Monday morning shortly after nine o'clock, March 23, 1925, when the recorder of the universe closed the record of the earthly life of J.F. Beaty, prominent citizen of the county and a resident of the Downing community for perhaps a quarter of a century or more. Death was produced by organic heart trouble, with complications, his last illness lasting over a period of only a few days. His long life had been blessed with robust health and activity.
James Freeman Beaty was born in Chambers county, Ala., on October 4, 1849, being just past seventy-five years of age. He was married on Nov. 17, 1870, to Mary Elizabeth Laster, who died about twenty year ago. To them were born twelve children, three dying in infancy, and a daughter, Mrs. J.L. Boatwright, aged 28, died in Alabama years ago. The eight surviving children are
Mrs. W. V. Taylor, Akron, Ohio;
J. H. Beaty, Loraine;
Mrs. G. C. Cadenhead, Shamrock;
A. M. Beaty, Martha, Okla.;
Mrs. J. M. Bruce, Lorraine,
Mrs. C. O. Hatley, Proctor;
H. L. Beaty De Leon, and
Mrs. I.N. G.som, Proctor.
His second wife was to Miss Eugenia E. Laster at Downing in 1906, who with his eight children survive his passing.
Mr. Beaty united with the Methodist Church in the year 1890 and lived and died in this faith, his life and character being clean, wholesome and forceful, and his influence over exerted on the side of righteousness and Godliness. He gave to the world a heritage of honorable and upright sons and daughters who have bee reared to "fear God and keep his commandments" and who rise up to bless the memory of their honored sire.
Besides his immediate family, Mr. Beaty has two brothers and two sisters. These are G. L. Beaty of Rialto, Cal. and R. A. Beaty of Durant, Oklahoma. Mrs. W. E. Lee, Comanche, Texas and Mrs. B. F. Cadenhead, Weslaco, Texas.
The high esteem in which the deceased was held was shown by the vast throng of people who came far and went to pay their last tribute when the flower-draped casket was borne from the home to the Methodist Church at Downing where Revs. Smoot and Neal paid their tribute, comforting the hearts of the sorrowing. Afterward his mortal remains were laid to rest in the Downing cemetery to await the morn of resurrection.

Family History not included in obituary:
1860 census Tallapoosa, Alabama as James Beaty
1870 census Poplar Springs, Tallapoosa, Alabama as James Burges
1880 census Poplar Springs, Tallapoosa, Alabama as James Beaty
1900 census Comanche, Texas as James F. Beaty
The son of George Lafayette Beaty and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Biggs. James married Mary Elizabeth Lasseter November 17, 1870 in Tallapoosa county, Alabama. They had the following children:
1. Luna Alvarah 1871-1899 married John L. Boatwright
2. Elizabeth Luetta 1873 married William Veasey Taylor
3. James Henry 1875-1939 married Docia Almeadia Wilson
4. Eliza Eudorah 1877-1958 married Claud Clifton Cadenhead
5. Albert Marvin 1879-1957 married Katie Sarah Collins
6. Minnie Gertrude 1881-1934 married Henry McDonald
7. Annie Pearl 1884-1937 married Cumbie Olyn Hatley
8. Houston Lomax 1886-1964 married Susie Gardner
9. Cleopatra Penelope 1888-1888
10. John William 1890-1890
11. Icie Ardalia 1891-1976 married I.N. Grissom