Clara Rita Beasley

A Celebration of Life for Clara Rita Beasley (1955 – 2023)

Clara Rita Beasley (ne’ Martin), age 67, of Columbia, MD passed away peacefully on April 15, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Clara was born in Washington, D.C. to Dorothy Rita Martin on August 18, 1955. On April 19, 1975 she married James Henry Beasley Jr. and raised three sons.

Clara was deeply devoted to her family, and as a working mom, put her children’s needs first. She strongly encouraged her children to pursue higher education, a dream Clara achieved for herself upon graduating from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2013. She was known to her family as the “Queen of Free Fun” and would never let limited resources or circumstances get in the way of finding educational or entertaining activities for her children and grandchildren.

Prior to retirement, Clara worked as an Administrative Assistant for various government agencies and institutions of higher learning for more than forty years.

Her legacy will live on with her three loving sons Lance Beasley (Cheryl), Justin Beasley, and Cody Beasley (Sherrilyn), brother Herbert Martina and sisters Christine Garner and Dorothy Bauer. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brittany Straughan (Justin), Logan Beasley, Zachary Beasley, Lincoln Beasley, Ava Beasley, Isabella Beasley, Breelyn Beasley, and Cody Beasley Jr., her great grandchildren Lilyana Straughan and Jace Straughan, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Clara is preceded in death by her mother Dorothy, husband James, and nephews Steven Martin, Michael Garner, and grandson Justin Beasley Jr.

A private visitation for family members will be held at Gasch’s Funeral Home in Hyattsville, MD from 2:00 to 4:00pm on Sunday, April 23, 2023 with a celebration of life service to follow from 4:00 to 5:00pm. An internment date is still to be determined.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Clara’s memory to the following charities:  The American Nurses Foundation: Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses (https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/programs/coronavirus-response-fund/ ) or Mom’s Demand Action, a charity to prevent gun violence (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/moms-demand-action).