Margie Beckham Sapp

Margie Reece Beckham Sapp left this life on July 9, 2022, to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to be reunited with her beloved husband, Dempsey, who had been patiently waiting on her for over six years. She lived for 99 wonderful years and even to the very end she was a fighter and held on for as long as she could. She will be forever loved and missed.

Margie was born on November 11, 1922, to Robert and Thelma Beckham in Rochelle, FL and was one of seven children. She spent her entire life in Florida. She graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1941 and went on the pursue many opportunities. She met the love of her life, Dempsey Robert Sapp, while she was working as a telephone operator at Southern Bell in Starke, FL during WWII. They married while Dempsey was serving in the US Navy and stationed in Arlington, VA on September 17, 1943, and spent 72 wonderful years together. Together they created four children, and she loved being a stay at home Mom. Margie was a caregiver and loved her family. She lost her mother who passed away at 59 years of age and took over the care of her Father for many years cooking and cleaning for him on a weekly basis while managing her own four children.

Dempsey and Margie founded Florida Pest Control in 1949 in Gainesville, FL. The company became one of the largest independently owned pest control companies in the United States providing for hundreds of employees, their families, and thousands of valued customers throughout the years. Margie remained actively involved with the business well into her nineties.

Margie was a wonderful Southern cook, and many came to enjoy her delicious meals. She will be especially remembered for incredible cakes, particularly her Pound Cakes and her Carmel Nut Cakes. She loved to garden, and she never met a plant she did not like or want. To this day her yard is beautiful with blooming Crepe Myrtles, Azaleas, Sago Palms and many more that she planted where she and Dempsey built their dream home over forty years ago on the Sapp family farm that Dempsey grew up on and established in Lake Butler, FL.

She was a wonderful homemaker and loved to sew, quilt, and craft. She was a member of the Rex Club in Hawthorne, FL, and the Lake Forest Homemakers Club (UF Extension office) since 1961. Margie hosted the annual end of the year party at her house every spring for many years. Margie loved to shop especially for shoes and purses. She was always beautifully dressed from top to bottom and her beautiful blonde hair fixed to perfection. She would dazzle you with her sea blue eyes.

One of her greatest loves was for the University of Florida Gators. She and Dempsey, a graduate of UF, were avid fans for over 50 years rarely missing a game. You did not want to sit next to her at a football game because her excitement could be dangerous.

Margie and Dempsey were members of Wesley United Methodist Church since March 1952 where she attended faithfully every Sunday until Covid. She instilled her faith among her children. She was affectionately known as MeMa and had four children, seven grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and several step grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Thelma Beckham; Brothers, Julian Beckham, Aldine Beckham, and Frank Beckham; her Sister Bobbie Alvarez; Daughter, Debi Sapp Wise and Great Granddaughter, Sofia Wise; and Husband, Dempsey Sapp.

She is survived by her loving children, Kay Frowick (Don), D.R. Sapp (Diane), and Angelia Dickey (Don); her seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Sisters, Irma Glenn Hales and Sandra Cannon and many relatives.

Honorary Pallbearers are Chad Frowick, Zac Wise, Dempsey Sapp III, Dylan Dickey, Austin Sapp, and Colby Frowick.

She has had many loving caretakers through the years that allowed her to remain in her home until the end. A special thank you to Regina Lane, her sister Sandra Cannon, Sara Chesser, Lisa McKibben, Elizabeth Ivey, Belinda Williams, and many others through Touching Hearts. We are forever grateful for their loving care and devotion allowing our mother to live 99 wonderful years. A special thank you to Dr. Nadkarni and his staff for their care and attention over the years. We would also like to thank Vitas Hospice and their loving nurses.

A Celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, July 13^th at 11:00am at Wesley United Methodist Church, 826 N.W. 23^rd Ave., Gainesville, FL. A visitation time will begin at 10:00am. Arrangements are under the care and direction of ARCHER-MILTON FUNERAL HOME, Lake Butler, FL. 386-496-2008. www.ArcherFuneralHome.com        

Donations can be made in honor of Margie Sapp to Wesley United Methodist Church, 826 N.W. 23^rd Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609.